Do I Need a Root Canal?
Our teeth are something that we use on a daily basis. Typically, any aches or pains are a sign that something is not right. Dentists in Easton, PA, agree that if you’re asking yourself, “Do I need a root canal?” you should consult with a dental professional before the problem gets worse. In this article, Dr. David Moghadam shares everything you need to know about root canals.
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The roots of your teeth have openings referred to as canals. These canals contain nerve fibers and blood vessels. In short, the blood vessels and nerves keep your teeth alive. If these nerves or blood vessels develop an infection or decay, you can start to feel pain in the affected tooth. When that happens, a root canal may be required to repair that diseased tooth. This procedure entails the skills of an endodontist or general dentist at College Hill Dental Group in Easton, PA. The procedure consists of removing the pulp inside the affected tooth and then sealing the canals so that the tooth can remain functional and pain-free.
Why Would You Need to Undergo a Root Canal?
Your dentist in Easton, PA, may recommend that you undergo root canal therapy if your tooth exhibits signs of pulpal damage or infection. If your tooth is damaged or develops a sizeable cavity, oral bacteria may penetrate to the root and infect the pulp. Your dentist will likely use an intraoral camera to show you exactly what they’re seeing. If treatment isn’t provided promptly, the bacteria can lead to serious infection, bone loss, and in advanced cases, the tooth itself will be lost.
According to the emergency dentistry experts at College Hill Dental Group in Easton, PA, the most common reasons for pulpal damage include:
- Traumatic injuries, such as sports injuries, which result in nerve tissue damage
- Physical irritation, such as that resulting from deep tooth decay. This irritation eventually reaches the nerve and damages it.
- A crack or fracture that extends to the root of the tooth, thereby adversely affecting the pulp inside the tooth.
What Are the Symptoms and Signs of Damaged Dental Pulp?
Our friend Dr. Ben Kacos, an endodontist in Shreveport, LA, points out that while different people will exhibit different signs and symptoms, the following are the most common of those signs:
- Tooth pain as the individual is chewing
- Severe tooth sensitivity to hot or cold drinks
- Facial or gum swelling
- Graying or discoloration of the affected tooth
- Tenderness and swelling of the gums close to the tooth with damaged pulp
- Pus or draining from the affected tooth
In our many years of experience in endodontics, some cases of pulpal damage don’t trigger any signs, and the patient remains unaware that such damage has occurred. For this reason, we always encourage our patients to come in regularly for dental cleanings and exams. Any dental problems that begin to develop can be detected early and treated before they progress and become worse problems.
The Root Canal Treatment Procedure
When you come to College Hill Dental Group in Easton, PA, to have a root canal performed, we will begin by administering a numbing agent. Numbing the area will ensure that you don’t feel any pain during the procedure.
Once the anesthetic kicks in, your Easton PA dentist will proceed to drill into the tooth in order to access the infected or dead pulp inside. The dentist will then remove all the infected or dead pulpal tissue, followed by cleaning the area thoroughly.
Once the canal is clean, a sealing material will be used to cover the point through which the pulp was accessed.
In most cases, a restoration, such as a dental crown, may be needed to restore the structural integrity of the treated tooth. Talk to your dentist at College Hill Dental Group about whether or not you’ll need additional treatment.
In most cases, if you undergo a root canal at College Hill Dental Group, the results of that procedure will last for your lifetime. Make sure that you follow any aftercare instructions recommended by your dentist.
When to Contact Your Easton PA Dentist After a Root Canal
You need to contact a dentist in Easton, PA, as soon as you develop abnormal swelling or persistent tooth pain post root canal therapy. Take action immediately in case you have developed a dental abscess, bone loss, or even tooth loss.
If you have any of the symptoms described earlier, contact College Hill Dental Group immediately so that one of our Easton, PA dentists can help.
