ROOT CANAL THERAPY
Root Canal Therapy at Elevated Dental in Telluride
"Root canal" is probably the most feared phrase in dentistry, and almost entirely for the wrong reasons. Most of that reputation comes from decades-old experiences with older techniques and less effective anesthesia. The reality today is a lot less dramatic than people expect.
At Elevated Dental, we handle root canal consultations and work closely with skilled specialists in the community for treatment when needed. You come to us first, we evaluate what's going on, and if a root canal is the right call we make sure you're connected with the right person and that you know exactly what to expect before anything happens.
Ready to say goodbye to the pesky tooth? Call us at 1-970-728-3665, send an email, or stop by the office. We're open Monday through Thursday, 8am to 5pm!
What a Root Canal Actually Is:
Your tooth is a living structure. At the center of it runs a narrow channel called the root canal, which contains the nerve and blood vessels that keep the tooth alive. That soft tissue is called the pulp.
When decay reaches deep enough into a tooth to infect the pulp, the infection doesn't stop there. Without treatment, it spreads into the bone around the root and can cause an abscess, significant pain, and eventually the loss of the tooth entirely. A root canal removes the infected pulp, cleans out the canal, and seals it so the tooth can stay in place and function normally.
The tooth loses its nerve, which means it can no longer feel temperature or pain. But the structure remains, which is almost always preferable to extraction.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
When you come in, Dr. Stinnet will take X-rays and do a thorough exam to understand what is happening with the tooth and the surrounding bone. If a root canal is the right course of treatment, we will explain exactly what that involves, connect you with a trusted specialist in the community, and make sure the transition is as smooth as possible.
You will not be handed off and left to figure things out on your own. We stay involved throughout.
Do Root Canals Hurt?
This is the question everyone actually wants answered.
The procedure itself should not be painful. The area is fully numbed before anything starts, and modern anesthetic techniques are significantly more effective than what people experienced twenty or thirty years ago. Most patients are surprised by how manageable it is.
There can be some tenderness in the area for a few days after treatment, which is normal and typically handled with over-the-counter pain relief. If you have anxiety about dental procedures, let us know. We have sedation options and we are used to having that conversation without making it a big deal.
How Do You Know If You Need a Root Canal?
Sometimes you know immediately because the tooth is in significant pain. Other times the signs are subtler and easy to overlook until things get worse.
Common indicators include a tooth that aches persistently or throbs, sensitivity to heat or cold that lingers after the source is removed, swelling or tenderness in the gum near a specific tooth, discoloration of a tooth, or a small pimple-like bump on the gum that keeps coming back. In some cases there are no symptoms at all and the infection only shows up on an X-ray.
The earlier it gets caught, the better the outcome and the simpler the treatment. If something feels off with a tooth, it is worth getting it looked at sooner rather than waiting.
A root canal removes infected pulp tissue from inside the tooth, cleans the canals, and seals everything so the tooth stays in your mouth and keeps functioning. Elevated Dental in Telluride handles root canal consultations and works with skilled specialists in the community for treatment. Serving patients from Telluride, Montrose, and Ridgway.
If you have been told you might need a root canal, or if you have a tooth that has been aching or sensitive for longer than it should, it is worth getting it looked at sooner rather than later. The earlier an infection is caught, the simpler the treatment. Call us at 970-728-3665 and we will get you in for an evaluation. We see patients from Telluride, Montrose, and Ridgway regularly and we will give you a straight answer about what is going on with the tooth before anything is decided.
Commonly Asked Questions About Root Canals
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It depends on how far the infection has progressed. In some cases a different approach works. In others, a root canal is the only way to keep the tooth. We will tell you honestly which situation you are in.
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Most teeth that have had root canal therapy need a crown placed over them to restore strength and protect the remaining structure. Dr. Stinnet can handle that restoration right here in our Telluride office, often in a single same-day visit using our CEREC technology.
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Most people return to normal activity the same day or the next day. The treated area may feel tender for a few days but it is rarely disruptive.
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In most cases, keeping your natural tooth is preferable to extraction. Root canal therapy has a high long-term success rate, and the alternatives to a missing tooth, including implants and bridges, involve more time and cost. When extraction makes more sense we will tell you that too.
Call 1-970-728-3665
or email us at office@elevateddentaltelluride.com
Worried about needing a root canal? Give us a call!
Call our front office at 1-970-728-3665 or send us an email. You’ll likely first speak with Sarah (you’re in good hands)! →
Elevated Dental
101 East Colorado Avenue, Suite 202, Telluride, CO Monday through Thursday, 8am to 5pm
A large portion of our long-time patients drive in from all over the San Juan Mountain region, like Montrose and Ridgway. Many of us in the Elevated Dental office also happen to live outside of Telluride (and make the commute daily).
If you’re driving 45 minutes to see us, just know that we appreciate you and will make the drive absolutely worth it!
We’re roughly 50 minutes from Ridgway and 75 minutes from Montrose!