Root Canal

A root canal infection can be extremely uncomfortable. Left untreated, it can also cause tooth loss, bone loss, and abscesses. 

Advances in modern dentistry and anesthetics now allow patients to undergo root canal treatment with little to no discomfort.

Dr. Matthew Turner provides comfortable, effective root canal treatment at his dental office serving Kansas City, MO, and Blue Springs...

Reasons to Visit Our Dentist for Root Canal Treatment

Save Time & Money

By visiting a dentist at the earliest stages of an infection, you can get swift, cost-effective treatment. Dr. Turner has the training and technology to perform root canals on-site without referring patients to an endodontist. If you delay your root canal treatment, you may need more expensive care from an endodontist later on.

Reduce Anxiety & Discomfort

Root canals have an undeserved bad reputation, and many patients deal with discomfort because they are afraid of the dental procedure. However, root canals have come a long way in recent years. By combining gentle techniques with sedation, our dentist can perform the treatment with minimal discomfort.

Protect Your Smile

Removing the infected pulp from the inside of your tooth can greatly reduce discomfort and restore your ability to chew. A root canal at our office serving Kansas City and Blue Springs can also prevent the need for tooth extraction and help you enjoy your natural smile for many years to come.

A Root Canal Can Help You Avoid Extraction

Root canals do not have to be scary or painful. With the help of gentle endodontics from Matthew A. Turner DDS, PC, you can find relief from an infected tooth. The procedure can often eliminate the need for extraction and save your smile.

Wondering If You Need a Root Canal? Schedule a Visit to Our Dentist Today

Root canal therapy is a safe and comfortable treatment that can eliminate oral pain and save a natural tooth. The earlier Dr. Turner can begin treating your infected tooth, the better your chances are of enjoying optimal outcomes. To ensure the best results, Dr. Turner uses the latest root canal techniques and maintains membership in various prestigious dental organizations, including: 

  • The American Dental Association
  • The Missouri Dental Association
  • The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
  • The Eastern Jackson County Dental Society

To make treatment more affordable for all Kansas City, MO, and Blue Springs patients, our office accepts CareCredit® financing. Book your visit with us b contacting our office online or calling us: 

(816) 229-1433

Dr. Turner and Patient

"10 out of 10"

1

Michael Pugh

2020

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Excellent Dentist and staff!!! We are so thankful to have found a Dentist and staff who are honest and caring. Matthew Turner and staff take the time to get to know their patients and put them at ease before starting any procedures.

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1

Courtnee Gharst

2020

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10 out of 10 would definitely recommend Dr.Turners office to anyone needing a first time dentist or a new dentist! Turner and his team are amazing at there jobs and treat you just like part of their family!

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What Causes Infected Pulp?

In most cases, the pulp within the tooth and root canals becomes infected as a result of an untreated cavity. 

Each tooth has a chamber and root canals within it that contain blood vessels, nerves, and other soft tissues. These tissues are collectively called "pulp." If an infection reaches the pulp, it can spread quickly, jeopardizing your oral health. In all cases, this is considered a dental emergency that must be addressed immediately to prevent the need for a tooth extraction or more expensive dental procedure. 

dental infection

Signs That You Might Need a Root Canal

Trauma or Damage to Your Teeth

Bacteria can reach the pulp following dental trauma, a deep cavity, or a loose filling. Often, the infection results from unaddressed tooth decay. This is one reason why we recommend that Kansas City and Blue Springs patients visit our dental practice twice a year for cleanings and exams. Preventative cleanings and good oral hygiene habits can prevent many cases of root canal infection. 

Intense Pain

When a root canal infection does occur, the first symptom is often sudden and intense oral pain. Soft tissues within the tooth swell as a result of the bacterial invasion, which places pressure on the nerves inside the tooth. Heightened sensitivity, swelling of the gums, and pain while chewing are also common side effects.

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should call our office immediately. A root canal infection can spread quickly and place the health of surrounding teeth and tissue at risk. 

What Happens During a Root Canal?

During the procedure, an access point is created in the hard external tissue. The pulp is completely removed in order to salvage the remaining healthy tissue.

What to Expect during Your Root Canal

Diagnosis

If you are experiencing symptoms of a root canal infection, our office will treat your situation as a dental emergency. Once you arrive at our dental practice serving Kansas City and Blue Springs, Dr. Turner will listen as you explain your symptoms. That information plus a visual examination and x-rays can identify the presence of a root canal infection.

Treatment Recommendation

If the infection is too far advanced or if the tooth is too frail to undergo root canal therapy, Dr. Turner may need to perform a tooth extraction to restore oral health. It is important to note that root canals are not recommended for wisdom teeth. 

Sedation

While there is a perception that root canal treatments are painful, the truth is that the procedure eliminates more pain than it causes. Dr. Turner will ensure your comfort during treatment. Local anesthesia will be used to numb the infected tooth and surrounding tissue. In addition, our office offers sedation in the form of prescription sedatives you take before the procedure.

Root Canal Procedure

Once you are relaxed, a small hole will be drilled into the top of your tooth. Through this opening, Dr. Turner will be able to use special tools to completely remove infected pulp within your tooth. Once the pulp has been removed and the infected area is cleaned and sanitized, biocompatible material called gutta-percha will be used to replace the lost tissue. 

Dental Restoration Placement

Inlays, onlays, and dental crowns are typical restorations used to protect your tooth following treatment. In some cases, a second appointment may be needed to place your final custom restoration. If you are waiting for your final restoration to be fabricated, take care not to bite down hard on your temporary inlay or crown. Doing so may cause discomfort or damage to the restoration. 

What to Expect during Your Recovery

Side effects following this straightforward procedure are typically mild and only last for a few days. You will be sent home with special recovery guidelines that should be followed closely. It is common for the treatment area to feel tender and sore as the effects of anesthesia wear off. This discomfort can typically be managed through the use of over-the-counter medications. Dr. Turner will be glad to recommend effective medications to safely address discomfort. 

Your treated tooth may feel more sensitive than your other teeth. These mild side effects will naturally wear off as your mouth adjusts to the treatment. Most patients enjoy the complete cessation of side effects by the second or third day following their treatment. If you experience an unexpected spike in pain at any point during your recovery, please let our office know immediately. 

"They Genuinely Care about Their Patients"

1

William Stewart

2020

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Dr Turner and his whole staff are very professional and efficient. They genuinely care about their patients well being and health. Dr Turner has a great sense of humor. I can't imagine going anywhere else for my dental care.

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Cheryl Herr

2019

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Everyone in this office is amazing! My entire family has gone to Dr. Turner for 25 years! They were just as wonderful with my small children as they are with my elderly mother.  They know you by your first name and are very pleasant. They also have a real person that answers the phone, not a recording!!! A rare find these days.

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Dr. Turner and his team

Matthew A. Turner, D.D.S., P.C.

At the dental practice of Matthew A. Turner, D.D.S., P.C., in Kansas City, MO, Dr. Turner and his team provide superior general, cosmetic, and restorative dental care. Dr. Turner is a member of several professional organizations, including:

  • The American Dental Association
  • The Missouri Dental Association
  • The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
  • The Eastern Jackson County Dental Society

For more information on the services we provide, or to schedule an appointment, please contact us online or call (816) 229-1433.

Contact Us Today Today

"Best dental experience anyone could ask for. It's very obvious the entire staff works together as a team and truly cares about the patients."

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