Root Canal Therapy in Shelby Township, MI
Relieving Tooth Pain in Shelby Township, Clinton Township, & Macomb
A severe toothache is one of the worst kinds of pain. If you’re hurting, you are likely dealing with a deep tooth infection that won’t get better without prompt care from an experienced dentist. Dr. Brittany and the team at McKinley-Holloway Legacy Dentistry are here to help! We provide gentle, effective root canal therapy designed to end your pain quickly and save your natural tooth.
We understand the anxiety that can come with just hearing the words “root canal.” Please know, the procedure isn’t what hurts—it’s the tooth infection treatment that finally brings you relief. We are a trusted part of the Shelby Township, Clinton Township, and Macomb, MI communities, and our goal is simple: to solve the problem, get you comfortable, and help you get back to your life.
SAME DAY APPOINTMENTS USUALLY AVAILABLE!
Call us at 586-685-0880 today to schedule.
Why Choose McKinley-Holloway Legacy Dentistry for Root Canals?
Pain-Free Care
Our primary goal is your comfort. We use modern techniques, effective anesthesia, and offer sedation options to ensure a truly gentle and anxiety-free experience.
Advanced Technology
We use state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment tools. This allows us to perform your root canal with greater precision, making the process faster and more successful.
Save Your Natural Tooth
A root canal is the best way to save a natural tooth from an abscess or severe infection. This is always our preferred option over an extraction, preserving your smile’s function and appearance.
What is a Root Canal?
A root canal (also called endodontic therapy) is a dental procedure designed to remove a deep infection from inside a tooth.
Inside the hard, outer layer of your tooth is a soft center called the pulp. The pulp contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. If the pulp becomes infected or inflamed—due to deep decay, a crack, or an injury—it can cause a severe toothache or lead to an abscessed tooth.
A root canal treatment involves carefully cleaning out this infected pulp, disinfecting the “canals” inside the tooth’s root, and then filling and sealing the space to prevent re-infection. The tooth is then typically restored with a dental crown to protect it and restore its full strength.
Does a Root Canal Hurt?
This is the most common concern we hear, and the answer is no. The modern root canal procedure is not what causes pain; it’s what relieves it.
The intense, throbbing pain you feel is caused by the tooth infection or abscess itself. The root canal procedure is performed with effective, local anesthesia, meaning you won’t feel any pain during the treatment. Our patients are often amazed by the immediate relief they feel once the infection is properly treated. You can rest assured that our team’s priority is to make your experience as comfortable and pain-free as possible. If you are uneasy about getting a root canal, we have dental sedation options to help put you at ease.
The Root Canal Process
Here’s what you can expect during your visit with Dr. Brittany McKinley-Holloway:
- Diagnosis and Anesthesia: First, we use digital X-rays to confirm the infection. We then completely numb the area around the tooth. You won’t feel anything.
- Cleaning the Tooth: Dr. McKinley-Holloway will create a small opening in the tooth to access the infected pulp. The damaged pulp is then gently removed, and the inside of the tooth and root canals are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
- Filling the Canals: Once the chamber is clean, we fill the empty canals with a sterile, rubber-like material called gutta-percha. This seals the tooth from the inside out, preventing any recurring infection.
- Restoration: The final step is to restore the tooth. Because an infected tooth is often weakened, we almost always recommend a custom dental crown. Thanks to our same-day technology, we can create and place your tooth crown in the same visit!
Have questions about root canals? Give us a call at (586) 685-0880. For urgent dental cases like tooth infections, we are often able to accommodate our patients for same-day appointments. Our team is here to bring lasting tooth pain relief to patients in and around the communities of Shelby Township, Clinton Township, and Macomb, MI.
Get Relief from Your Tooth Pain Today!
Don’t wait for a toothache to get worse. If you have a painful abscessed tooth or suspect you need tooth infection treatment, we are here to help. We serve patients across Shelby Township, Clinton Township, and Macomb, MI. Call our office immediately to schedule an urgent consultation.
Call us today at (586) 685-0880 or schedule your root canal appointment online. We look forward to seeing you soon.
Root Canal FAQs
Common signs include a severe, persistent toothache; extreme sensitivity to hot or cold; swelling in the gums near the tooth; a small, pimple-like bump on the gums (a sign of an abscess); or darkening of the tooth. Sometimes, there are no symptoms, which is why regular checkups are important.
Saving your natural tooth is always the best option. A root canal preserves your tooth, maintains your natural bite alignment, and prevents the need for more complex and costly treatments like bridges or dental implants.
Your tooth and the surrounding gum tissue may feel a bit tender for a few days, which is normal. This is easily managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. You can typically return to your normal activities the same day.
While modern root canals have a very high success rate (over 95%), a new infection can occasionally occur. This can be due to a new crack in the tooth or a missed, complex canal. If this happens, a retreatment or other procedure can often solve the problem.
With a proper restoration (like a dental crown) and good daily oral hygiene (brushing, flossing, and regular checkups), a tooth treated with a root canal can last a lifetime.