Root Canals and Fillings in Grand Rapids, MI

Repair & Protect Your Smile

If you have a cavity, gum disease, or decay, it’s crucial to your oral health to treat it fast. Root canals and fillings are the main methods of restoring your smile and removing any underlying dental problems. 

Read our guide to explore how we perform root canals and fillings to stop infection and decay in their tracks.

What Are Root Canals and Fillings?

Root Canals

A root canal is an essential procedure performed to remove and repair damage caused by an infection in your teeth. We recommend root canals for patients who have decay that reached the center pulp of the tooth. The pulp is the sensitive center portion that contains nerves, blood vessels, and the tissue that connects your teeth to your gums. 

You may need a root canal if you have the following symptoms:

• Pain while chewing
• Sensitivity to hot and cold foods
• Swelling around the base of the tooth
• Discolored teeth
• A throbbing toothache

Dental Fillings

We use dental fillings to restore and reinforce the enamel damaged by a cavity. Fillings close the area of a removed cavity. This blocks food and bacteria from hiding in your tooth and creates a smoother surface to prevent further cavities. 

Some patients worry dental fillings will darken or discolor their teeth. Thankfully, metal fillings are a thing of the past — our tooth-colored fillings help patients protect and heal from cavities while looking completely natural.

The Cavity Removal Process at Robson Family Dental

Step 1: Receiving Your Root Canal

Your root canal process begins with a thorough professional cleaning from our dental team. We’ll remove all bacteria from your mouth, allowing us to focus on the affected tooth. Then, we’ll apply a local anesthetic to ensure you feel no pain or discomfort during your procedure. 

Once your mouth is prepared, we’ll dry your tooth and use an advanced dental drill to remove the decayed portion of your tooth. We’ll then seal your tooth using either a filling or a dental crown, depending on the amount and location of decay. For milder cases, we’ll generally use a filling.

Step 2: Sealing Your Tooth With A Filling

After your root canal procedure, we’ll use a tooth-colored dental filling to seal your tooth. This blocks any food and bacteria from any hard-to-brush places.

Following a short waiting period, you’ll leave our office with a beautiful, functional tooth that protects you from oral health issues in the future. Learn more about dental fillings at your consultation with Dr. Robson at our Grand Rapids office. These natural-looking health solutions help patients of all ages retain their stunning smiles!