--- title: "Root Canal Wildwood, MO | Pain-Free Tooth Infection Treatment" description: "Relieve tooth pain with a pain-free root canal at Town Center Dental in Wildwood, MO. We remove infections and restore your tooth’s function. Call today!" url: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/root-canal publisher: Town Center Dental phone: +1-636-273-5866 quote: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment --- ![A treatment room with an intraoral scanner at Town Center Dental](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/_astro/scanner-operatory.DBMxNAgi_1SmOoK.avif) # Root Canal Treatment A root canal treats a tooth whose inner pulp is infected or badly damaged. The dentist numbs the area, removes the damaged pulp, cleans the inside of the tooth and seals it. The goal is to keep your natural tooth. It often needs more than one visit and a filling or crown after. Ask about timing and your estimate. [Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment)[Call (636) 273-5866](tel:+1-636-273-5866) ## Aims to save the tooth A root canal repairs the tooth instead of removing it. ## Pain can stop while infection continues Cleveland Clinic says pain can stop if the pulp dies, yet the bacteria keep spreading. Seek care even when it stops hurting. ## Numbing is used Your dentist numbs the area first. Tell the team if you feel anything during treatment. ## A crown often follows A filling or crown protects the treated tooth afterward, and your dentist tells you which fits. When the soft tissues in the pulp of the tooth become infected or inflamed, they need to be removed and a root canal is necessary. Untreated infection or inflammation can agitate the nerve causing severe tooth pain and, in some cases, form an abscess at the root of the tooth. Pulp infection has a number of causes including poor dental hygiene leading to deep decay, repeated dental procedures on a tooth, or chips or cracks in the enamel, which can allow harmful bacteria into the tooth. Injury or force trauma to the tooth can damage the root, leading to inflammation from the inside out even if there is no visible decay, chips, or cracks on the outside of the tooth. There are a few symptoms of pulp infection: if you have any lingering pain in a tooth when biting or chewing, pimples on the gums, lingering sensitivity to heat or cold after the sensation is removed, deep decay or darkening of the gums, chipped or cracked tooth, swollen or tender gums. Biannual dental exams are crucial in combating tooth decay. If you have any lingering symptoms or discomfort come see our team. One of our dentists will see if you are at risk of infection or need a root canal. Schedule an appointment at Town Center Dental today by calling [636-273-5866](tel:6362735866). ## Tooth anatomy To understand root canals, it helps to know a little more about the anatomy of the tooth. The top outer layer of the tooth is the enamel. This is the part that you see when you smile. Beneath it is a hard layer called dentin. Under the dentin is a chamber filled with soft tissue called the pulp, composed mostly of blood vessels and nerve endings. It develops the surrounding hard tissues of the tooth during development, providing it with nutrients. Once the tooth is fully mature, it can survive without its pulp, taking nutrients from the tissues surrounding it. ## Root canal procedure The root canal is a somewhat complex procedure and can span over two or more dental visits. We hope to alleviate any fears or anxieties you may have about undergoing this procedure. Town Center Dental is here to answer any of your concerns or worries. We want to help you feel confident; your security and safety are part of the process in providing you the very best in dental care. A root canal can be broken down into four stages. First, a radiograph of the tooth is taken using an X-ray. Using the X-ray, the dentist can assess the level of infection in the tooth. A local anesthetic is administered. Once the tooth and surrounding tissue are numbed, a small protective sheet called a dental dam is placed around the tooth, isolating it from neighboring teeth and saliva. Second, using small thin instruments the dentist makes a hole in the crown of the tooth. The infected pulp is removed, and a space is made in the chamber of the tooth. Third, after the chamber is cleaned and shaped, the roots are filled with a biocompatible material. In most cases, the dentist will place a filling over the chamber. After your final visit, the dentist will have you come back to remove the filling and place a crown over the tooth, protecting it and bringing it back to its full function. This is the fourth stage. Our top priority at Town Center Dental is your prolonged dental health and function. If you need root canal treatment, call us at [636-273-5866](tel:6362735866). Root canal, extraction and waiting: what each means Choice What happens What to ask your dentist Root canal and restoration The infected pulp is removed and the tooth is sealed. A filling or crown protects it. How many visits? Will the tooth need a crown? Extraction The tooth is removed. You may want to replace it later with a bridge, implant or denture. What are my replacement options and timing? Waiting Infection can spread to the bone and tissue around the tooth. An abscess will not go away on its own. What are the risks of waiting for my tooth? ## Is a root canal better than pulling the tooth? Neither choice fits everyone, and your dentist helps you decide. Cleveland Clinic explains that dentists usually try to save natural teeth, and that extraction is recommended when other treatments are not enough. The American Dental Association says root canals are used to repair and save the tooth instead of removing it. Ask about the long view. A root canal keeps the tooth in place and keeps your bite stable. An extraction leaves a gap that you may want to replace with a [bridge](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/dental-bridge), an [implant](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/dental-implant) or a [denture](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/dentures). Each replacement has its own steps and timing. The right choice depends on how much sound tooth is left, the health of your gums and the bone, and your goals. Our blog post on [root canal vs extraction on a back molar](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/blog/root-canal-vs-extraction-on-a-back-molar) goes deeper. The full [root canal guide](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/guides/root-canal-guide) explains the steps and the follow-up. ## Do I need a root canal if my tooth does not hurt? Possibly. Pain is not a reliable guide. Cleveland Clinic says pain may stop if an infection causes the pulp inside the tooth to die, because the nerves no longer work. The bacteria continue to spread and destroy the tissue around the tooth. It says to seek care for abscess symptoms even if you no longer have pain. A tooth can also be damaged without a visible crack. The American Dental Association lists an injury to the tooth, even without a visible crack or chip, and repeated dental procedures on a tooth as causes of pulp infection. Only an exam and x-rays can tell. Your dentist checks the tooth, looks at the bone around the root, and explains what is going on. See our post on [whether you need a root canal if there is no pain](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/blog/do-i-need-a-root-canal-if-my-tooth-does-not-hurt). If you notice a gum bump, swelling or a bad taste, [request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment) soon. ## What happens after a root canal? The tooth is protected next. The American Dental Association says a follow-up visit is needed after treatment, when the dentist replaces the temporary filling with a regular filling or a crown to protect the tooth from further damage. Until then, take care with the tooth. Your dentist tells you what to eat, how to manage any soreness, and whether to avoid chewing on that side. Brush and floss the other teeth as usual. Call the office if pain gets worse, if swelling appears, or if the temporary filling comes out. Get emergency help right away if you have trouble breathing or swallowing, or an abscess with fever and facial swelling. Mayo Clinic advises going to the emergency department if you have trouble breathing or swallowing, and Cleveland Clinic lists fever, facial swelling and trouble swallowing with an abscess as reasons to go to the nearest emergency room. The practice is closed Friday through Sunday, so plan ahead for who to call. See [emergency dentistry](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/emergency-dentistry) for more. ## Questions about root canal treatment [Read the guideRoot Canal Treatment: Is It Painful, and Is Saving the Tooth Worth It?](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/guides/root-canal-guide) ### Should I get a crown or a filling after a root canal? Your dentist decides. The American Dental Association says the temporary filling is replaced with a regular filling or a crown to protect the tooth from further damage. A crown covers the whole tooth. Ask which one fits your tooth. ### Is a root canal painful afterwards? The American Dental Association says your dentist uses local anesthesia so you do not feel the procedure. Afterward, your dentist explains what to expect and how to manage any soreness. Call the office if pain is getting worse or swelling develops. ### Do I need a root canal if there is no pain? Maybe. Cleveland Clinic says pain can stop when an infection kills the pulp, while bacteria keep spreading. Seek care even if the pain is gone. An exam and x-rays show whether the tooth needs treatment. ### Root canal vs extraction on a back molar? Both are options. Dentists usually try to save natural teeth, and extraction is advised when other treatments are not enough. Your dentist weighs the damage, the bone and your goals, and explains replacement choices if the tooth comes out. ### How many visits does a root canal take? The American Dental Association says a root canal usually takes one or two office visits. Some teeth need more. Your dentist tells you what to expect for your tooth, plus the follow-up visit for the filling or crown. ### What are signs of a tooth infection? Cleveland Clinic advises scheduling a dentist visit right away if you develop mouth pain, a toothache or a red, swollen bump on your gums. It also says an abscess will not go away on its own. Do not wait for the pain to stop. ## Related services - [Porcelain Crown](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/porcelain-crown) - [Tooth Extraction](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/tooth-extraction) - [Restorative Dentistry](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/restorative-dentistry) - [Dental Fillings](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/dental-fillings) - [Emergency Dentistry](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/emergency-dentistry) ## Sources - [ADA MouthHealthy: Root canals](https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/root-canals) - [Cleveland Clinic: Tooth Abscess](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10943-abscessed-tooth) - [Mayo Clinic: Toothache: First aid](https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-toothache/basics/art-20056628) - [Cleveland Clinic: Tooth Extraction](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22120-tooth-extraction) ## Ready when you are [Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment)[Call (636) 273-5866](tel:+1-636-273-5866)