A root canal is a restorative procedure that can save a tooth from severe infection. If you are experiencing extreme pain in your mouth, you may need this treatment. This is no process to dread despite what you have heard about it. Your dentist will take great care to make you feel at ease. Do not put off speaking to your dentist about repairing your teeth. This endodontic procedure can be effective at cleaning out your affected tooth and making your mouth healthy once more.
When people need a root canal
Underneath a tooth’s layer of enamel and dentin is a chamber known as the pulp. Inside this are blood vessels, nerve endings and connective tissue that nourish the tooth. When these two layers wear away, the pulp becomes prone to infection. Without proper and fast action, the bacteria can spread throughout the tooth and to the neighboring tooth as well. Eventually, a person’s face could swell, leading to more significant health problems. In this endodontic treatment, the dentist removes the infection and decay, making the tooth whole once more.
Evaluation
Most people who need this procedure begin feeling intense pains in their mouth and notice swollen tender gums. There may be some sensitivity to hot or cold. Other patients have a chipped or fractured tooth. When a person has these symptoms, there should be an immediate call to the dentist. At the dentist’s office, the following will occur:
- The dentist will ask the patient additional questions about their symptoms
- The dentist will examine the patient’s mouth
- The dentist will take X-rays
Cleaning
In the most serious circumstances, the dentist may perform the root canal right after the exam. Sometimes, the dentist will prefer to set up another appointment and invite the patient back a few days or weeks later. In the following step, the dentist will drill into the patient’s tooth down to the pulp. The root canal professional then removes the pulp and clears out any infection and decay. There will be an injection of medication to kill the remaining bacteria.
Sealing the tooth
Once the tooth has no more infection, the dentist will close it up. If the tooth is broken or damaged in any other way, the dentist will put a crown or cap on top. The cap will be the same color as the tooth and will closely resemble surrounding teeth. This often happens at a subsequent appointment once any soreness has worn off. The dentist will then follow up with the patient in the days and weeks following the procedure to make sure the tooth is feeling good.
Time to see the dentist
Watch carefully for the signs of tooth infection. If your pulp has these issues, you need to act fast and let your dentist know. The longer you wait, the more likely further health issues could develop. In a couple of appointments, your dentist can provide an effective solution to this condition and mend your ailing tooth. Speak to the dental staff today so you can take care of this painful situation.
Request an appointment here: https://austinlakesdentistry.com or call Austin Lakes Dentistry: Scott T Gordon DDS at (512) 266-1308 for an appointment in our Austin office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Root Canal Treatment in Austin, TX.
Recent Posts
A root canal is a procedure that dentists can perform to stop infection inside a tooth by removing its pulp, or the material in the center of a tooth. Since teeth are made of enamel and other hard materials, they do not swell up to warn you that an infection might be present, like other…
When the subject of a root canal comes up, people often imagine an unbearable dental procedure that requires a relatively long recovery period. Endodontists perform a root canal when there is an issue such as infection or inflammation, which could cause tooth decay, cracked teeth or continuous treatment of the affected areas. Undergoing a root…
Thinking you need to undergo a root canal to save one of your teeth? A general dentist is the type of dental professional who typically performs this type of oral surgery often. The fact that root canal therapy is necessary to save an infected tooth makes it a good idea for patients to learn more…
A root canal is a restorative procedure that can save a tooth from severe infection. If you are experiencing extreme pain in your mouth, you may need this treatment. This is no process to dread despite what you have heard about it. Your dentist will take great care to make you feel at ease. Do…