Root Canal Treatment in Springfield, IL

Woman at dentist in Springfield IL with root canal pain

At Ruggless Dental, preventive dentistry is vital for maintaining good oral health. This involves a comprehensive home-health routine like daily brushing and flossing, along with regular teeth cleanings and dental exams.

However, even our most meticulous patients in Springfield, IL can suffer from a tooth infection, decay, gum disease, and other oral issues—without even knowing it! Some dental issues, like periodontal disease, don’t show any symptoms until advanced stages—which means that without routine dental checkups, you might be undergoing an oral health issue without realizing it.

One day—or night—you may wake up with tooth or jaw pain that won’t go away; we advise our patients to call us immediately to relieve your pain and discomfort. Tooth pain is not normal to experience and is a sign of something greater.

We understand that the last thing a patient wants to hear is that root canal therapy is necessary; however, this dental procedure will actually help relieve your pain while saving your tooth. A root canal is required when the tooth nerve becomes abscessed, infected, or inflamed. While old-fashioned root canals may have been a painful process, Dr. Shane Ruggless, DMD can anesthetize the area and ensure no pain is ever felt. 

In fact, you’ll feel so much better after your root canal! In most cases, Dr. Shane Ruggless can provide root canal therapy in the comfort and familiar environment of our Springfield dental office without the need for a referral to a specialist. We know that most patients dread hearing that they need a root canal, but the truth is that you will probably feel a lot better after your treatment.

The worst part of needing a root canal is experiencing the symptoms that accompany the condition. Let us treat any pain and discomfort while keeping your teeth and gums as healthy as possible. 

When Are Root Canals Needed?

There are many different reasons our Springfield patients may come to us needing root canal treatment. Some are preventable, while others can be sudden and unavoidable.

In some cases, your tooth may suffer from sudden trauma and require a root canal, but in most cases, root canals are necessary because of an infection inside your tooth near the nerve. Often, infected teeth remain asymptomatic until inflammation causes pain, sensitivity, and pressure. Other symptoms that may indicate the need for a root canal include changes in the color of the infected tooth, a small lesion on the gums, and jaw or facial pain. If needed, our dentist can even perform two root canals in a day!

Inflammation can exacerbate other systemic conditions, putting your health at risk. Infections may feel worse on some days than others but rarely resolve on their own. Seeking treatment at the first signs of trouble can save you time, pain, and inconvenience, and it helps us to save your tooth.

Sometimes you can anticipate dental issues when you have a chipped, cracked, or fractured tooth. Bacteria can quickly enter your tooth and cause infection. Other signs to look for are frequent visits to your dentist due to dental issues. Most times, however, there are no signs that your tooth has an oral issue until it is too late to implement preventive measures.

If you have any pain or sensitivity, call us immediately. Severe tooth pain is not normal and should be looked at immediately. The last thing anyone wants is dental pain in the middle of the night – it makes it difficult to relax or sleep. Often symptoms worsen at night because you are lying down and inflammation gets worse.

Calling Ruggless Dental right away at (217) 787-0212 is your best bet in saving your tooth. We will do everything possible to care for you quickly and effectively, and our dentist will determine your best treatment options.

The Root Canal Procedure at Ruggless DentalClose up of dental patients smile after root canal in Springfield, IL

The goal of root canal treatment is to eliminate the infection in your tooth and restore your health and comfort.

Dr. Ruggless will make sure you are numb from a local anesthetic for your procedure before he begins. He will start by creating a small access to your tooth and clear out any diseased tissue and infection in the tooth pulp. He will then sterilize the inside of your tooth and place a special filling material to help prevent a repeat infection.

Once he is confident that no bacteria remain, he will seal your tooth with a temporary restoration. We will schedule a follow-up appointment to make sure you are healing correctly and discuss pain management.

While it is reasonable to have some sensitivity after treatment, you should notice improvement with each passing day. As with any dental procedure, please notify our experienced dental staff if you experience severe pain or discomfort. 

Restoring Your Tooth After Root Canal Treatment

Once you have a root canal, your tooth may become fragile and break more easily.

Dr. Ruggless may recommend a dental crown to help protect your tooth. Having a root canal and the proper restoration can prolong the life of your tooth by decades. Saving your natural teeth whenever possible is essential not only for your appearance but also your overall oral health.

A dental crown is a durable, reliable, long-lasting, and natural-looking dental prosthesis that not only protects your tooth, but it can also prevent infection or decay from happening again. Depending on how much of your natural tooth structure was removed in the root canal procedure, you may feel more comfortable knowing that your tooth structure will remain in place and be stabilized. 

Preventive Dentistry to Avoid Disease & Tooth Decay

While there may be situations where a root canal procedure is difficult to avoid, we believe that practicing preventive dentistry can eliminate many infections and diseases that often result in root canals or extractions. A dental infection is sparked by tooth decay that is left untreated until it makes contact with a nerve. Once this stage occurs, you will feel immense pain that affects your ability to sleep or focus.

Root canal treatment not only gets rid of any infection, but it can also preserve your tooth without resorting to dental extractions. If Dr. Ruggless can detect tooth decay in its early stages, he may be able to treat it with a tooth-colored filling or a dental crown.

We recommend maintaining regular dental visits so Dr. Ruggless can identify and diagnose any dental issues before they become more significant issues that may require root canal therapy or tooth extraction.

We want you to keep your smile as healthy as it is beautiful!

Relieve Your Tooth Pain at Our Springfield Dentist Office!

If you have a dental emergency or are experiencing tooth pain or sensitivity, contact Ruggless Dental today at (217) 787-0212 to schedule a dental examination. We do our best to treat dental emergencies quickly and accurately so that you can feel like yourself again. We are always available to treat our patients at any sign of dental distress, and we advise all our patients to seek dental help as soon as pain occurs.

Unlike headaches or cramps, dental pain is not a standard or passing inconvenience. Often, it's a sign of a big oral health issue that will only get worse. Contacting us as soon as possible is your best chance at retaining and keeping your natural teeth.