Root Canal Therapy

Root Canal Therapy:
Save Your Tooth

Experiencing a toothache and wonder if you need a root canal? Our dentists are proud to offer root canal therapy to our patients. We’ve performed hundreds of them over the past several years, and we’re glad to say that we make this procedure comfortable and easy for our patients.

At Lincoln Family Dentistry, part of Nebraska Family Dentistry, we want you to have an excellent dental experience with us. It’s our pleasure to make your appointment as easy for you as possible. If there’s anything we can do to ensure your comfort, please don’t hesitate to let us know.

A healthy relationship with your dentist should allow you to communicate your needs, fears, and concerns. We want to make sure that you’re being taken care of, and communication will help us do just that. We offer many gentle dental services from dental cleanings to tooth-colored fillings and everything in between. Our team is here to help!

Saving a Tooth with Root Canal Therapy

A root canal is the last effort that can be taken to save a tooth. A lot of our patients ask, “Do root canals hurt?”

Read the facts from American Endodontists at American Endodontist Society answering common concerns and questions from patients.

Root Canal Therapy Symptoms

The main symptom for an infected tooth is severe sharp toothache and a fair amount of discomfort. Some think that discomfort is simply a result of dental caries otherwise known as cavities, but this is a misconception. When a cavity develops, it actually shouldn’t cause any type of discomfort. If you’re experiencing discomfort, it means that a cavity has progressed to the middle part (nerve space) of your tooth.  When this happens, you may be developing sharp and intolerable toothache that does not go away with taking over the counter medication.

Root Canal Therapy Procedure

Root canal therapy is a great alternative to extracting a tooth and will help you save your tooth.

In the process of this procedure, your dentist will start by taking an x-ray. After taking an x-ray, the root canal dentist will clean out your tooth. Using anesthesia, the dentist will ensure your comfort and numbness. Once you are adequately numbed, they’ll remove decayed tooth structure that was damaged by the infection. After they’ve cleaned out the inside of your tooth, the dentist will reach the affected nerve. The discomfort experienced from the infection is a result of the infection reaching the nerve, or the pulp. The dentist will remove the pulp while keeping the tooth perfectly intact. As the final step, your root canal dentist will place a temporary filling, until the next appointment where they’ll place a crown to protect your tooth. And with that, your tooth will have been saved.

The Cost of Root Canal Therapy in Lincoln, NE 

There are a few factors that can affect the cost of a root canal. Fortunately, this procedure is cheaper than replacing your tooth after tooth extraction. Extraction usually requires the placement of an implant or bridge, increasing the cost significantly.

An excellent way to determine the cost of root canal therapy is to see us so that we can give you a definitive diagnosis based on your case. We can give you a more accurate cost so that you won’t be faced with any surprises. If you would like to contact us and get an estimate for your treatment, contact us by emailing, calling or texting:

Email: nebraskafamilydentistrylfd@gmail.com

Text: (402) 413-8589

Call: (402) 467-1000

Can a tooth infection make me sick? When should I see an endodontist vs dentist for a tooth infection?

Yes, there is always a risk of the infection spreading and becoming life-threatening when a tooth is infected. If the infection is spreading, you may notice facial swelling, enlarged lymph nodes, fever, and chills. If you are experiencing these symptoms, call your emergency dentist as soon as possible or proceed to the emergency room, or a walk-in clinic. You will likely be prescribed antibiotics to help control the infection until the tooth can be treated. Sometimes patients ask if they should go to an endodontist vs dentist if they are experiencing these symptoms. It is always a good idea to call your emergency general dentist who can give you antibiotics. Usually, when an infection has spread to this extent, patients need antibiotics for a few days to reduce the infection before any treatment is rendered. Your family dentist can decide if he/she can treat the tooth or if you need to see an endodontist for more complicated treatment.

Does root canal therapy hurt?

During the procedure, you’ll be kept comfortable, so you will not feel anything. Mild discomfort can however be expected following the procedure. If the discomfort seems intense, don’t hesitate to let your dentist know, as there may be something else going on.

Why do toothaches hurt more at night?

Usually toothaches are more uncomfortable during the night because patients are laying down, which creates an increase of blood flow to the head. This increased blood pressure causes the throbbing sensation to intensify. You can take ibuprofen and Tylenol and lay with your head propped up on pillows until your emergency appointment with your dentist. 

I need to redo a root canal, is it better to redo a root canal or to replace a tooth with an implant? Should I see an endodontist to redo a root canal therapy or an oral surgeon to place an implant?

Failed root canals usually present as a long-standing tooth infection with bone loss or pus draining around the tooth. For these cases, attempting to perform a root canal “re-treat” gives the tooth a poor long-term prognosis, whether an endodontist vs dentist performs the procedure. Why do some fail? Info from the EU Journal of Medicine: Failure of endodontic treatment.

Most root canals if redone have only 20-40% success, so if you are looking for a permanent solution, placing a dental implant may be a great option instead of redoing a failed root canal.

Can I have root canal therapy while pregnant?

It is safe to have root canal therapy during pregnancy. It is very important to eradicate infections that can spread throughout the body especially during pregnancy. Discomfort and infection can increase your heart rate and the inflammatory chemicals your body makes to fight off infection can stress your body during pregnancy and lead to complications if left untreated. Whether you choose to see an endodontist vs dentist for your procedure, inform them that you are pregnant so they can select appropriate anesthetics and avoid giving you any medications that are contraindicated during pregnancy. You will require x-rays before, during, and after the root canal. Your abdominal region will be shielded from any scatter radiation with a lead apron during x-rays. The dose of radiation you will receive from digital x-rays in our office is very minimal.

Does insurance cover root canal therapy if I see an endodontist vs dentist?

In most cases, root canals are covered by dental insurance. However, it usually only applies to a certain amount of root canal procedures per year. Many patients ask us if it is cheaper to have root canal therapy with an endodontist vs general dentist. At Lincoln Family Dentistry, we offer very competitive pricing for root canal therapy and participate with most major dental insurance companies, which lowers the cost for our patients.

My immune system is compromised. Is it safe for me to have root canal therapy?

For patients with autoimmune conditions, root canal therapy may not be a good option. This is because they have delayed or poor healing after infections or surgeries. For patients who are receiving treatment for cancer or osteoporosis, root canals might be an excellent treatment option to avoid performing extractions. Each patient and tooth to be treated should be evaluated carefully to determine if root canal therapy is a good option. Our Lincoln family dentists can help you make a great decision for your overall health.

What are some great home remedies for toothaches?

It is important to know that no home remedy will treat the underlying cause of your toothache and that home remedies are only useful for managing your symptoms until your dental appointment. You can reduce the amount of discomfort and swelling by alternating doses of ibuprofen and Tylenol. If there is any swelling, you can apply ice packs to your face. Clove oil can be applied to the gums around the tooth to reduce discomfort. Keeping the area clean by brushing and flossing will help to reduce irritation in the gum tissue.

How can I find a dentist that completes root canals and accepts my dental insurance? 

You can search the web for “root canal dentist near me in Lincoln, NE,” to find a list of general dentists in the area that complete root canal therapy. Your insurance company’s website should also have a list of dentists who participate in your plan. Our Lincoln family dentists participate with most major insurance companies and we offer a variety of payment options to help make root canal therapy affordable for you.

What is an endodontist? How can I find an endodontist vs dentist near me in Lincoln, NE?

Many patients want to know the difference between an endodontist vs dentist. General dentists are trained to perform many different procedures, including root canal therapy. Endodontists are a dentist with advanced training in root canal therapy and are able to perform very complex root canals. General dentists can treat the majority of teeth requiring root canal therapy, but can also refer patients with more complicated cases to endodontists if necessary.

Annual Plan Benefits
For Lincoln Dental Plans

All X-rays
Comprehensive Exam
2 Emergency Exams
2 Routine Dental Cleanings (Every 12 Months)
25% Discount on Select Procedures

LDP offers discounts on the following procedures:

Regular Cleanings
Deep Cleanings
Periodontal Maintenance
Dental Crowns (Excludes Cosmetic Crowns)
White Fillings
Root Canals
Professional Teeth Whitening
Night Guards

Learn More about Lincoln Dental Plans Membership

This page was written by Lincoln Family Dentistry Provider
Dr. Jon Isaacson.

You can schedule with this dentist in Lincoln, NE, or his partners, online 24/7 at a Lincoln Family Dentistry Location near you. This “dentist near me” serves the local communities close to Lincoln. Some of the communities include Eagle, Walton, Weeping Water, Avoca, and many more!