Treat Toothaches With Root Canals in Fort Smith
If left untreated, cavities, cracks, or other dental damage allows bacteria to get into the soft center of your tooth. It causes a painful infection that can lead to tooth loss. Our dentists can prevent that from happening with root canals in Fort Smith.
Doctor Bill Ligon on root canals
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Doctor Bill Ligon on root canals
A root canal therapy is indicated when you either have a fracture that has exposed part of the nerve or you have decay into the nerve part of the tooth. Root canal is mainly just removing the nerve tissue from the tooth, putting a filler material down through the root. It allows you to be able to keep your tooth even though it was decayed into the nerve. The tooth's not alive anymore, but typically root canals, as far as this office is concerned, are probably 95 percent successful in long term being able to keep your tooth. Even though it's not live and doesn't have nerve and blood supply, you're still able to keep your tooth and have it function pretty much as normal.
A root canal procedure:
- Ends the pain and sensitivity caused by infection
- Lets you keep your tooth, avoiding an extraction and the added cost of a tooth replacement like a dental implant
- Keeps infection from spreading to your gums, your jaw, and even other areas of your body
Call us ASAP at 479-668-3109 if you experience a toothache, a tooth sensitive to hot or cold, or other symptoms that may indicate you need root canal therapy. If possible, we’ll provide same-day emergency care. If you’re an established patient and your toothache occurs after hours, you can reach us through our emergency line.
Enjoy Peace of Mind With Dental Sedation
While root canal therapy has a negative reputation, it is undeserved. We’ll ensure your procedure goes smoothly with:
- Dentists who have performed countless root canal procedures in their years of practice
- Technology like digital X-rays and a dental laser to keep your treatment as quick and comfortable as possible
- Effective local anesthesia to numb your mouth for the procedure
If you’re still nervous or worried about discomfort, you can receive one of two forms of dental sedation: an oral sedative or laughing gas. We’ll help you decide which method is right for you. Among factors you’ll want to consider:
- Level of Awareness – With laughing gas, you’ll experience a sense of euphoria but will remain largely aware of your surroundings. Taking an oral sedative keeps you less aware of sights, sounds, and smells. You’ll be able to communicate with us either way.
- Time to Take Effect – It can take 30 to 60 minutes to fully feel an oral sedative’s effects. So we often recommend taking it at home and having someone drive you to our office. You’ll feel the effects of laughing gas almost immediately after you begin inhaling it through a small mask over your nose.
- How Long Effects Last – An oral sedative leaves you groggy for several hours, so you’ll need to arrange a ride home. Laughing gas wears off so quickly you’ll be able to drive yourself if you’d like.
For root canals in Fort Smith, call us at 479-668-3109.
