Comprehensive Dental Care Services
Comfortable, comprehensive dental care is what makes Dr. Babik & Associates offices stand out from other dentists. From children to adults, our professional staff and experienced doctor can provide the proper dental care you need and deserve to feel confident in your smile. Our practice is dedicated to your oral health. Give our Richmond or Glen Allen, VA dental office a call today to book your appointment.
What is a Root Canal?
The soft tissue inside the tooth is called dental pulp, or pulpal nerve. Sometimes the pulp can become inflamed or infected, and the infection can spread into the surrounding bone at the end of the tooth.
When this is happening, you may experience pain and swelling. If the infection spreads like this, you want to stop it in its tracks. The dentist performs a root canal procedure in order to save the tooth.
Not only can root canal therapy save a tooth, it can prevent the spread of infection which could affect other vital organs, particularly in patients with diabetes or other immunosuppressive diseases.
Signs You May Need Root Canal Therapy:
Pain or Discomfort in Your Tooth/Jaw
Sensitivity to Heat or Cold that Doesn't Go Away
Discoloration of One or More Teeth
Swelling & Tenderness in Nearby Gums
The yellow box above highlights the ‘Root’ – the area that becomes inflamed and leads to a root canal procedure.
What will Dr. Babik do?
X-rays and other tests will isolate the problem tooth. A common belief is that by removing the nerve, the tooth becomes “dead.” This is not true. The tooth may lose some feeling, but it will be responsive to biting pressure, etc. With proper restoration, the tooth should last as long as your other teeth. The success rates for root canal therapy have been reported to be as high as 95 percent.
During the root canal procedure, the dentist carefully numbs the tooth, removes the inflamed or infected pulp, carefully cleans and shapes the inside of the tooth, then fills and seals the space.
After a root canal, it is essential that the patient return to have a crown or other restoration placed over the treated tooth to protect it.
Root Canal vs. Extraction:
Many people believe, mistakenly, that having a tooth extracted, and replaced with a bridge or implant, is a good alternative to root canal therapy. This is not true for several reasons. Why?
Nothing can completely replace your natural tooth. An artificial tooth can sometimes cause the patient to avoid certain foods. Maintaining the natural definition is important so that the patient can continue to enjoy the wide variety of foods necessary for nutrition.
Root canal treatment, along with appropriate restoration, is a cost-effective way to treat teeth with damaged pulps.
Placement of a bridge or implant will require significantly more time in treatment.
He and the entire office are phenomenal. It is a family run business. He treats 3 generations of my family; kids, parents and grandparents. I highly recommend Dr. Babik and all clinicians at his practice.
HEATHER P.
3/27/2018
Dr Babik and his team is the BEST. Staff is very attentive and welcoming. Dr Babik makes sure his patients gets the best treatment. I had two extractions and two implants and i am very happy with the service. I highly recommend Dr Babik. He is great.
SARA S.
3/27/2018
Dr. Babik is a phenomenal dental professional. I chipped a tooth late Friday night and called his office and left a message about my dilemma and not only did he call me back but he and a staff met me in the office on a Saturday morning to repair my tooth so I could complete my speaking engagement on Sunday morning. His office staff especially his sister and brother enhance their office operations beyond the realms of greatness. Dr. Babik has an incredible chair side manner that puts the most anxious patient at ease.
GERALD G.
10/09/2017