Root Canal Treatment in Bellevue
Unfortunately, many of us have been conditioned to believe that getting a root canal is a terrible experience. The team at Kennedy Dental believes it’s time to put this outdated idea to rest and to tell you that modern root canals today are comfortable, stress-free procedures.
Your comfort is our priority, and it shows in every interaction we have with you and every service we provide. So, we want you to know that root canals don’t cause pain; they relieve it.
Why Our Dentists Recommend Root Canal Treatment
One reason why root canals have a bad reputation is that many patients are already in excruciating pain when they seek treatment. Later, it’s the pain they remember and mistakenly associate with the root canal procedure.
The fact is that it’s the infection inside your tooth that’s causing your toothache, and since a root canal removes the infection, it also eliminates your pain.
A tooth becomes infected when bacteria enter the pulp that’s located deep within your tooth. This can be caused by a:
- Deep cavity
- Trauma or a blow to the tooth
- Cracked or broken tooth
- Fractured dental filling
Symptoms of an Infected Tooth
There are several symptoms of an infected tooth to look for. But in some cases, the infection is asymptomatic. That’s why it’s important to stay current with routine dental exams and cleanings even if you don’t think you’re experiencing any problems.
- Throbbing toothache
- Swollen or inflamed gums
- A whitish bump on your gums
- Swelling in your face or neck
- Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
- Extreme sensitivity to pressure or touch
- Tender or swollen lymph nodes
If you have any of these symptoms, call Kennedy Dental as soon as possible. Postponing treatment allows the infection to spread, and we may eventually need to perform a tooth extraction in Bellevue.
The Root Canal Procedure at Kennedy Dental
At Kennedy Dental, you’ll find a team of experienced dentists who do everything possible to ensure a comfortable procedure. Our caring and supportive dental team will be with you every step of the way to provide encouragement and a hand to hold if you need one!
The goal of a root canal is to remove the infected material, and at Kennedy Dental, we use advanced rotary endodontic technology. This technology makes your root canal more comfortable and helps our dentists reach deep into the root canals to be sure every trace of the infection is removed.
Need Some Help Relaxing? We Have Solutions!
Dental anxiety is a common problem and one that we help our patients deal with every day. Having a caring dental team on your side helps, but many of our patients appreciate that we also offer sedation dentistry at our Bellevue dental office.
Nitrous oxide offers gentle relaxation and a sense of calm that lasts throughout your procedure and doesn’t produce lingering drowsy side effects. If you need deeper relaxation than nitrous provides, our dentists can prescribe a sedative for you to take before your appointment.
Schedule A Gentle Root Canal in Bellevue!
Our Bellevue, NE dentists understand your apprehension about having a root canal. But we can assure you that, in the 40 years we’ve been practicing, we’ve helped hundreds of patients enjoy a comfortable, successful procedure.
If you have a toothache and think you might need a root canal, contact Kennedy Dental right away at (402) 291-3535 so we can help you and provide the relief you need.
I have the highest respect for Dr. Cameron Thomas
I have the highest respect for Dr. Cameron Thomas who is my dentist at the Kennedy Dental Group. He is very intelligent and knowledgeable about all aspects of dentistry. He is very accommodating and extremely professional. He is quick to diagnose problems and finds a solution for them. He answers all questions and keeps the patient at the forefront of his service. Thank you Dr. Thomas!
- Peggy R.
Frequently Asked Questions
A root canal infection can be painful and pose a risk to your tooth. If left untreated, an infected tooth may be unsalvageable and require extraction. If you have any root canal infection symptoms, please schedule an appointment with your dentist in Bellevue, NE. Early treatment can relieve your pain and protect your smile's health.
Common symptoms of a root canal infection include:
- Severe or lingering tooth pain
- Swollen or puffy gums
- Dark or red gums
- Gum sensitivity
- Bad breath that won't go away
- Abscess or bumps on the gums or around teeth
- Tooth discoloration
A root canal infection can be severe and lead to other oral health and medical issues. The disease can spread to other areas of the mouth and body, resulting in a heart attack, stroke, or sepsis. Without a root canal, your dentist may also have to extract the tooth to protect your oral health and ensure the disease doesn't progress.
Pain-Free Root Canals in Bellevue, NE
If you're experiencing severe tooth pain or notice dark, swollen gums, it's important to seek immediate dental care. At Kennedy Dental, we can help restore your oral health and relieve your discomfort with root canal treatment.
Call us today at (402) 291-3535 to schedule your root canal in Bellevue, NE and take the first step toward a healthier smile. We're here to ensure you receive the care you need to protect your teeth and maintain your overall dental well-being.
Root canals are a fairly common procedure, ask around, and you'll likely find out that you know more than one person who has one. Despite how it may sound, root canals should not hurt. Before doing any dental work, your dentist in Bellevue, NE will use an anesthetic to numb the affected tooth and the surrounding area to ensure that the procedure is as comfortable as possible.
Root Canals Eliminate the Pain Caused By Infected Roots
Dentists will typically perform a root canal on a tooth whose roots have become infected with bacteria. The infection aggravates the nerve in the tooth, often causing significant to debilitating pain.
Getting a root canal will help protect the rest of the teeth, jaws, and gums from disease and further damage that the infection can cause. It does this by removing the infection, sanitizing, and sealing the area. For the patient, the procedure often relieves more long-term pain than it causes by addressing the source of the pain. Free of the continuous pain of the infected root, patients often feel better only two or three days after the procedure.
Schedule Treatment with Our Dentists in Bellevue, NE!
Contact Kennedy Dental at (402) 291-3535 if you want to schedule a consultation for a root canals in Bellevue NE or see what our team can do for you.
Root canals restore tooth health.
Root canals in Bellevue, NE, are a necessary procedure if you have a tooth root infection. The root canal treatment relieves pain and swelling while saving your tooth from loss or the need for a dental extraction.
You probably have a toothache with swelling if you have a root infection. Without treatment, the pain and swelling worsen and can cost you your tooth.
Root Canal Procedure Explained
A root canal procedure involves anesthesia to keep the treatment site numb. After the anesthesia takes hold, your dentist in Bellevue, NE removes the infection from the tooth’s canal. We then flush the area to promote healing and seal it with a temporary rubber-like material.
After a week or two, you come in for a tooth-colored filling or a dental crown. We use fillings only if your infection was minor and did not significantly damage the tooth’s structure. After that, a crown is the most likely course because it provides needed protection.
You can lower your risks for tooth infections with regular dental care and excellent oral hygiene.
Contact Your Root Canal Dentist in Bellevue, NE
Root canal infections are dental emergencies, especially when pain and swelling are involved. If you're experiencing symptoms, contact Kennedy Dental for root canals in Bellevue, NE, and schedule an emergency visit as soon as possible.
After a root canal, it’s common for teeth to become darker in color. Why do teeth change color after a root canal? There are actually several reasons why this happens, including:
Blood-related discoloration: Blood can get trapped in the tooth during or after treatment. As blood cells break down, they release iron, which can stain the tooth from the inside.
The tooth dries out: During a root canal, the dentist removes infected tissue. Living tissue is what keeps the tooth moist. A tooth that’s lost its natural moisture looks different when light passes through it, making it appear darker.
Filling materials: Some of the materials used to fill the tooth during a root canal can stain the tooth, causing it to appear brown.
Remaining pulp tissue: Occasionally, the remaining pulp tissue decays, causing the tooth to appear discolored.
However, there are options for restoring white teeth!
Discolored Tooth Treatment After a Root Canal
If your tooth has turned brown after a root canal, there are ways to restore your smile. Dental veneers are thin, custom-made shells that a dentist bonds directly to the front of your teeth. These are a great cosmetic dentistry option for discolored teeth.
Dental crowns are another option. Porcelain dental crowns are custom-crafted “helmets” or coverings that go over your teeth. Crowns can both protect your teeth and restore a white appearance to discolored teeth.
Meet Our Doctor:
Dr. Jason J. Carpenter DDS
Dr. Jason Carpenter attended the University of Nebraska Lincoln, where he graduated in 1998 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology. He went on to achieve his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry in 2002.
With a strong desire to advance his skills in dentistry, Dr. Carpenter entered a one-year postdoctoral Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) program. Additionally, he has acquired over 800 hours of continuing education to enhance his professional knowledge in many things such as cosmetic dentistry, root canals, TMJ, ...
Featured Blog Posts - Root Canals
Signs You Need a Root Canal: A Bellevue, NE, Patient’s Checklist
Pain is your body’s warning sign. It’s a way for your internal alarm system to signal: hey, we need help! Having said that, no one wants to get a root canal. They have a reputation for being extremely painful. However, the reason this procedure has acquired such a fearsome reputation is that many people who need a root canal come to the dentist in severe pain due to an infected tooth. The procedure itself is comfortable with modern tools and pain relief techniques.
Infected root canal symptoms:
- Persistent pain—often a throbbing toothache
- Tooth ...
Recovering after Your Root Canal Treatment
So, you've successfully undergone a root canal treatment and saved an infected tooth! Great news, right? Many essential treatments still require some time for proper healing before resuming regular everyday habits. If you wonder how long it takes for a root canal treatment to heal, our team at Kennedy Dental takes the proper measures to set our patients up for success before, during, and after root canals for our patients in Bellevue, NE.
Handling Root Canal Infections
If you've had pain in an infected tooth and wondered what happens if a root ...