There are a lot of misconceptions about root canals, both the structure and the procedure. Inside your tooth is the root canal, an opening in the roots of your teeth that houses sensitive dental pulp. A root canal infection occurs when bacteria enter your tooth, past protective layers of enamel and dentin, to infect the pulp. This infection may cause intense and persistent pain, which is why you’ll need root canal treatment urgently! A root canal procedure involves creating an opening in your tooth to access the pulp. Then, we’ll remove your infected pulp and fortify your tooth’s structure with a filling and/or crown. But what are the signs you need a root canal? Visit Dr. Z for routine dental visits, and discover what to look for in a root canal infection.
What Are Signs You Need a Root Canal
Unfortunately, it’s not always obvious when a root canal infection is occurring, at least not to the untrained eye. Common signs you may need root canal treatment include:
- A pimple on your gum tissue (also known as an abscess) that is full of bacterial infection or pus
- A swollen jaw from prolonged infection
- Discoloration or darkened teeth
- Loose teeth that may shift in your mouth
- Constant tooth pain that spreads
- Pain when you bite, chew, or otherwise touch the tooth
- Swollen and tender gum tissue
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, especially if they’re affecting your everyday life, you may need an emergency dental appointment. Contact us immediately to see how soon we can get you into our office for treatment and pain relief.
And, if you’re unsure about whether you need a root canal, we urge you to still reach out. We will discuss your symptoms and advise you on your next best course of action.
The Root Canal Process
When a tooth is infected, you have a limited amount of time. Delaying treatment may result in the spread of infection and, eventually, the need for a tooth extraction.
To save your tooth from extraction, we routinely use root canals!
The root canal procedure was invented a very long time ago, but modern medicine has perfected the technique. Where root canals used to be notoriously painful, this procedure now causes more pain relief than it does any pain!
Typically, root canal treatment takes 2 to 3 visits.
First, we take an X-ray at your complimentary exam, allowing us to determine the root of your problem. If it’s a root canal infection, we will plan your treatment and provide any necessary pain relief.
A root canal procedure is basically meant to clean out the infection inside your tooth. After creating an opening in your enamel and dentin, we then reach inside and gently remove the infected or dead pulp. Because pulp is what’s causing the majority of your pain, there should be immediate pain relief after your procedure.
Then, we’ll fill the tooth with a rubber-like material to fortify its structure and block further infection from entering. Before we send you home, we will place a protective covering over your tooth to keep it safe while we craft a dental crown to further protect the tooth and keep it functioning. Also, we may prescribe an antibiotic for a couple of weeks to help weaken the infection.
Finally, when your crown is ready, we will remove the temporary cover and place a custom-crafted crown that fits in with your smile.
Don’t Ignore the Signs an Infection: Visit Dr. Z!
A root canal can mean either the anatomical structure in your tooth or the treatment for an infection inside your root canal. To know what signs to look out for that hint you may need a root canal, you need to take good care of your teeth and pay attention to your oral health. At Dr. Z’s office in East Longmeadow, MA, we assess your smile routinely for signs of infection and help you know what to look out for at home. Then, with prompt treatment, we provide pain-relieving procedures like a root canal to keep your smile happy and healthy.
Book a free consultation with Dr. Z to learn how he can help your smile.
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