Root Canal Treatment – Brookfield, WI

Relief in
Record Time

Are you currently suffering through a monster of a toothache? Is it impossible to eat or even sleep due to the intense pain? If so, then dental decay or damage may have reached the center of your tooth where the nerve lies. In this case, the best option for you may be root canal treatment from our Brookfield, WI emergency dentist. While root canals have an intimidating reputation for being painful, the truth is that they actually cure your pain, providing relief in record time. If you’re dealing with extreme sensitivity or a terrible toothache, call our Brookfield dental office right away.

Why Choose Elmbrook Family Dental for Root Canal Therapy?

  • Same-Day Emergency Dental Appointments
  • Committed to Complete Patient Comfort
  • Highly-Skilled & Compassionate Dental Staff

Signs You Might Need a Root Canal

Woman in pain before root canal treatment

The only way to know for sure whether you need a root canal is to come into our dental office for an assessment from one of our dentists. It’s important to recognize some of the common signs that you might need a root canal, including:

  • Persistent, throbbing toothache
  • Sharp pain when biting down
  • Extreme sensitivity to heat and cold
  • Dark discoloration of the gums near the affected tooth
  • Infected tissue resulting in sores or bumps in the gums surrounding the tooth

What to Expect When Getting a Root Canal

Animated smile during root canal treatment

Depending on how severe your situation is, your root canal may take place over the course of one to two appointments. We begin the procedure by numbing the area with local anesthetic so that you shouldn’t feel any pain. Then, we create a small hole in the tooth through which we access the interior tissue, called the pulp. We use special instruments to remove the damaged pulp and nerve. In some cases, we may apply a topical antibiotic directly to the infected area. Once the inside of the tooth has been thoroughly cleaned out, we replace the pulp with a synthetic material called gutta percha. After sealing the access hole, we place a temporary dental crown to protect the tooth. A few weeks later, after you’ve fully healed, we'll replace your temporary with a permanent crown to protect the tooth from further damage.

Understanding the Cost of Root Canal Therapy

Model healthy tooth compared with model toot in need of root canal treatment

There is no fixed cost of getting a root canal because it can vary based on several factors, the biggest one being the location of the tooth in your mouth. Your back teeth, or molars, have more root canals inside them that need to be cleaned out, which is why they typically cost more than root canals for front teeth. Your cost will also depend on your individual insurance policy. Since a root canal is considered a restorative procedure, your insurance may cover up to 50% of the cost.

No matter how much you end up paying for a root canal, keep in mind that, in most cases, the only alternative is extracting the tooth entirely. Extractions usually cost more than a root canal. Replacing a missing tooth will also incur additional costs. Not only do root canals save and preserve natural teeth, but they can help patients save a lot of money as well.

Root Canal FAQs

A dentist performing a root canal on a woman

Perhaps you’re giving root canal therapy some serious thought. If so, that’s great news – the treatment may let you keep your tooth! Still, there’s a good chance you have a few leftover concerns. You likely want to address these thoughts before pursuing treatment. Fortunately, Elmbrook Family Dental is here to assist: below are the answers to some popular root canal questions. Try reading them over to learn how a root canal in Brookfield helps. If you need other details, though, just call our office.

Are Root Canals Safe?

Contrary to stereotypes and rumors, root canals are perfectly safe. They’ll only improve your oral health and won’t cause any harm.

You see, root canal therapy is highly effective. Its long-term success rate sits as high as 95 percent. You’re thus quite likely to benefit from the treatment. In particular, your treated tooth may well last for the rest of your life.

True, a root canal does carry some minor risks. Some bacteria could remain post-treatment and cause a re-infection. However, the odds of such a thing are very remote. Plus, you can quickly see your dentist for help if anything unexpected occurs.

How Long Does a Root Canal Take?

Generally, root canal therapy is often done in one dental visit. That said, there are cases where it requires two appointments. In these situations, the first one places a temporary medicine in the tooth. It’s only on the second visit that the dentist removes the infected pulp.

As for a root canal’s length, it varies from patient to patient. The therapy can take 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the treated tooth’s location. For example, molars with more root canals will take longer to treat.

How Much Pain Is Normal After a Root Canal?

To be clear, the root canal procedure itself shouldn’t hurt. However, you may face mild discomfort in the days following it.

When the therapy’s anesthetic wears off, you’ll likely feel mild pain and sensitivity. Don’t worry, though – these effects are temporary and easily managed with pain relievers. You’ll be fine if you take ibuprofen and avoid hard foods during recovery. After three days, the aches should be gone entirely.

Of course, there are exceptions. If your pain persists or worsens after three days, call your dentist immediately. There’s a chance you’re facing post-treatment complications.

How Long Does It Take to Recover from a Root Canal?

Recovery from root canal therapy differs for everyone. Even so, most patients are well enough to return to school or work the following day. Just know that there will be some soreness for a little while after.

Alternatively, you may need to tailor your recovery to your situation. Those whose jobs involve physical labor, for instance, should take two or three days off. Vigorous exercise can make the healing process take longer than necessary.

Regardless of the context, though, you’ll need to be careful as you recover. Therefore, only eat soft foods during this period and chew away from the treatment site. Similarly, be gentler than usual when brushing and flossing the treated tooth.