Root Canal Therapy
What is a root canal?
A root canal is one of the most common dental procedures performed, well over 14 million every year. This simple treatment can save your natural teeth and prevent the need of dental implants or bridges.
At the center of your tooth is pulp. Pulp is a collection of blood vessels that helps to build the surrounding tooth. Infection of the pulp can be caused by trauma to the tooth, deep decay, cracks and chips, or repeated dental procedures. Symptoms of the infection can be identified as visible injury or swelling of the tooth, sensitivity to temperature or pain in the tooth and gums.
If you experience any of these symptoms, your dentist will most likely recommend non-surgical treatment to eliminate the diseased pulp. This injured pulp is removed and the root canal system is thoroughly cleaned and sealed. This therapy usually involves local anesthesia and may be completed in one or more visits depending on the treatment required. Success for this type of treatment occurs in about 90% of cases. If your tooth is not amenable to endodontic treatment or the chance of success is unfavorable, you will be informed at the time of consultation or when a complication becomes evident during or after treatment. We use local anesthesia to eliminate discomfort. In addition, we will provide nitrous oxide analgesia, if indicated. You will be able to drive home after your treatment, and you probably will be comfortable returning to your normal routine.
Healthy Tooth
Tooth Anatomy
Inflammation
Cleaned Canals
Filling Placed
Healed Tooth
Endodontic Presentation
To provide you with a better understanding of endodontic therapy, we have provided the following multimedia presentation. Many common questions pertaining to root canals are discussed.
What happens after treatment?
When your root canal therapy has been completed, a record of your treatment will be sent to your restorative dentist. You should contact their office for a follow-up restoration within a few weeks of completion at our office. Your restorative dentist will decide on what type of restoration is necessary to protect your tooth. It is rare for endodontic patients to experience complications after routine endodontic treatment or microsurgery. If a problem does occur, however, we are available at all times to respond. To prevent further decay, continue to practice good dental hygiene.
How much will it cost?
The cost associated with this procedure can vary depending on factors such as the severity of damage to the affected tooth and which tooth is affected. In general, endodontic treatment is much less expensive than tooth removal and replacement with an artificial tooth.
Lynchburg Endodontics
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
best dr and staff visit ever
- wayne m
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Dr. Stanley and his team made me feel welcome under emergency circumstances and I will be back for my follow-up appointment in September!
- Kimberly B
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
These folks made a root canal as good an experience as I can imagine. Dr. Walker's humor and personality elevate his "chairside" manner and really set me at ease and reduced any anxiety. Generous allowance for time and information. The staff is welcoming and all seem to really enjoy being there.
- Charlie H
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I have had severe anxiety since I was very young about going to the dentist. I have had to be completely sedated to have anything done. This last visit was the best visit I have ever had. In 20+ years. Everyone was amazing from the woman who took my name, to the dental assistant, to the dentist himself. I felt very calm and felt like I was being taken care of by the best. I wanted to hug everyone in there because they made this experience so much easier. I didn't try to bolt out of the chair because I was in great hands, and they were so nice and making sure I was okay. I will not be going to any other dentist office because this is by far the best one in Lynchburg and in Virginia. I actually look forward to going back for my next procedure because I know I am in great hands. That says alot for someone with crippling anxiety.
- Megan M
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I called for a doctor referral and they were able to work me in the very same day. My appointment was at 4:30 pm and I left at 6 pm. The office closes at 5 pm. This is because Dr. Stanley and hos staff were not letting me leave from the office in the horrible pain that I arrived with. I was seated in the dental chair, x-rays were taken, the problem was found, and I left out of the office having had a root canal due to the nerve in my tooth beginning to dye. Dr. Stanley and his staff stayed in the office 1 HOUR AFTER CLOSING to attend to my needs! They all, without a doubt in my mind, have a servants heart! I truly thank God for these fine people and I'm honored to know them! Kindness and compassion goes a long way and they are a gift from God!
- Beth Z
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
WHEN YOU HEAR THE WORD "ROOT CANAL" MOST PEOPLE SAY "OUCH". SO HEARING THAT, I WAS VERY NERVOUS ABOUT THE PROCEDURE. DR. STANLEY WAS AWESOME AND I AM NO LONGER NERVOUS ABOUT ROOT CANALS. THANKS DR. STANLEY.
- Brenda C
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
The thought of having a root canal is not pleasant, but Dr. Stanley and his staff make the experience as pleasant as possible. It is obvious that this is a great place to work as the staff is always cheerful and efficient no matter the reason a person is there. I am thankful for this practice and that it is available to me when needed.
- Katherine P
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I was apprehensive about the appointment since my referring DDS was on the fence about whether I needed to go. Instead of doing unnecessary and costly work to me Dr. Stanley made the call after a thorough exam and verbal discussion to wait and see if the problem persists. I was very relieved and felt comfortable with his decision.
- J M
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I can't say enough good things about Dr Stanley and his team. I found them to be compassionate, efficient, and clinically excellent. I was experiencing extreme pain and was referred to Dr Stanley to address a problem which had been previously difficult to diagnose. Dr Stanley's office did a great job of working me into their schedule that same day. Dr Stanley quickly identified the root cause (no pun intended) of my problem. He and his assistant worked efficiently to correct the problem and hallelujah I walked out of his office without pain! This was the best I had felt in a week. From start to finish as a new patient, they took care of me in less than 1-1/2 hours. They even followed up by phone the next day to be sure I was doing OK. My thanks go out to Dr Stanley and Team for saving my tooth and relieving my pain. I highly recommend this very capable and compassionate team to others who find themselves in need of dental surgery.
- Joe A
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
5 star experience from start to finish. I especially appreciated them recommending the Delta dental plan to help keep costs down and the letter to my primary dentist. When I went to have the crown put on, Dr. Stanley had sent her a letter and the x-rays so that she knew exactly was needed to be done and no time was wasted explaining things or repeating x-rays.
- Roger P