Will A Root Canal Save My Tooth

Will A Root Canal Save My Tooth

Will A Root Canal Save My Tooth

When Is A Root Canal Needed?

If you’ve been told by your dentist in Parker Colorado that you need a root canal, you might be feeling anxious. Many people worry about the procedure, but it can actually help save your tooth and alleviate the pain! Let’s discuss what a root canal is and how it can help restore your oral health.

What is a Root Canal?

A root canal removes the tooth nerve and clears out accumulated bacteria. This bacteria is usually caused by deep cavities or trauma to the tooth, both of which can lead to decay and infection. Removing the nerve and bacteria is crucial to prevent infection or damage to nearby teeth. After removing the infected material, your dentist fills the space with gutta-percha or dental cement. This process helps seal off any remaining bacteria from re-entering the tooth and causing further harm.

Benefits Of A Root Canal

A root canal preserves your natural tooth, preventing loss due to decay or infection. A root canal can also ease pain from an infected nerve in the affected area. A root canal safeguards nearby teeth from damage caused by spreading infection or decay, benefiting the overall dental health.

Why Do I Need A Root Canal?

If not treated, an infected or damaged tooth can cause severe pain as well as swelling around the affected area. In some cases, completing a root canal first is necessary for stopping these symptoms, even when antibiotics alone cannot suffice. Untreated, an infected tooth may lead to complications like bone loss or drainage into the neck or face, forming an abscess. All of these issues can be avoided with prompt treatment from a root canal procedure at your local Parker Colorado dentist office.

Root canals are an important part of maintaining good oral health and preventing more serious issues from occurring down the line. Modern dental technology has made root canal procedures more comfortable, dispelling misconceptions about them being painful. If you think you may need a root canal in Parker Colorado, contact Green Dental Care today for an examination and consultation on whether this procedure is right for you! Our qualified professionals aim to promptly restore your optimal oral health.

Does a Root Canal Hurt? 

does a root canal hurt - Green Dental Care

Does a Root Canal Hurt? 

Does a root canal hurt? This is one of the most common questions Dr. Chris Green, a dentist in Parker CO, is asked by his patients. To answer this question, we first need to understand what a root canal is, when is it needed, and how is it performed. 

What is a Root Canal?

Root canal treatment is a dental treatment that is done in order to treat infection in the pulp (inner center) of the tooth. Root canal treatment is performed to save a tooth that otherwise might be removed completely. The correct dental term to describe this procedure is “endodontic therapy.” It removes the contents in the tooth and its roots, which are infection-prone. It enables a tooth to perform its function in the mouth despite having lost the ability to feel pain, pressure, or temperature. 

When and Why is it Needed?

A root canal is performed in order to treat infection in the pulp of a tooth, which otherwise might have to be removed. This infection is usually caused after deep tooth decay, leaky fillings, or damage to the tooth due to other forms of trauma, like a fall. It involves a deep cleaning inside the inner chamber of the root of the infected tooth, which can be the cause of the irritation of the surrounding nerves and gum. We asked our friend, Dr. Kristina Neda, a dentist who performs root canals in Georgetown, KY, about the risks associated with opting out of root canals. Dr. Neda explains that if you don’t get a root canal done, the infection can spread to your jaw and other surrounding tissue. 

How is it Performed?

The treatment begins with the application of general anesthesia in the affected area. An access hole is then drilled into the tooth which enables the dentist to access the pulp chamber and the root canals. After clearing the pulp contents, a thorough cleansing is carried out throughout the tooth. When the cleansing is finished, the tooth is properly sealed with appropriate filling materials. At last, a crown is placed on the tooth. 

Is it Painful?

Due to advances in modern technology and the use of anesthetics, the process of root canal treatment is generally safe, quick, and pain-free. In fact, the pain that you might feel is actually caused by the infection in the tooth, and this treatment is performed in order to get rid of that pain. Your Parker, CO dentists are experts in pain management and most cases can be treated quickly and comfortably. After the anesthesia wears off, there might be mild discomfort which resolves in a few days and can be managed by over the counter medications. 

does a root canal hurt - Green Dental Care

6 Signs You Need a Root Canal

signs you need a root canal - green dental care

6 Signs You Need a Root Canal

signs you need a root canal - green dental care

Do you suspect that you could be having an infection deep inside your tooth? The best way to be certain about your need for a root canal is by visiting Green Dental Care in Parker CO. Dr. Chris Green will examine you and put together a treatment plan if needed. In the meantime, there are some of those warning signs that a root canal is in order.

Darkened or Discolored Enamel

Teeth normally darken at approximately the same rate. However, one tooth may darken at a faster rate than the teeth near it. This scenario could be an indicator that tooth decay is occurring at a high rate or the internal structures of that particular tooth are degrading very fast. Regardless of the cause, visit Green Dental Care so that appropriate treatment can be started promptly.

Dr. Chris Green explains that tooth discoloration often sounds the alarm for infected or decayed teeth that aren’t causing other easily noticeable signs, such as sensitivity and pain.

Pain

Do you feel pain when you bite crunchy food or when you apply pressure on a particular tooth? Do your teeth hurt if you jump or lay down? This pain may be alerting you that you have an infection inside the affected tooth or teeth. See a Parker dentist immediately so that the root cause of the pain can be addressed before it costs you your tooth. If a root canal is deemed to be necessary, then it will be done so that further damage to your tooth is avoided.

Lingering Sensitivity

It is common and normal to experience some tooth sensitivity when you sip a hot drink or bite into ice cream. This sensitivity normally ends a few seconds after the incident that has triggered it. However, we asked our friend, Dr. Ben Kacos, a dentist in Shreveport, LA, about root canals. Dr. Kacos cautions that you should be concerned if the sensitivity you feel lingers even when you haven’t eaten or bitten into anything to trigger it. The prolonged tooth sensitivity can indicate that some nerve damage may have occurred and a root canal can prevent the damage from spreading.

Gum Inflammation

Gum inflammation often shows that a patient is suffering from gingivitis or periodontal disease. However, gum inflammation could also point to an infection inside the root of your tooth. See a dentist in Parker CO promptly if you notice swelling, a raised bump close to the affected site and pain accompanying the inflammation. A root canal could fix the problem and put an end to your suffering.

Headaches and Jaw Pain

You may need to visit Green Dental Care for a root canal if the pain you feel in your tooth is spreading to your jaw and even causing you a headache. If you feel some pain in your ear, then the tooth problem is originating from one of the molars on that side of your mouth. A root canal is in order if you are experiencing these symptoms since the problem is more than just a cavity.

Chipped and Cracked Teeth

You may also be a candidate for a root canal in Parker CO if one or more of your teeth are chipped or cracked. Such damage can expose the nerves inside your tooth to infection. Dr. Chris Green cautions patients against immediately thinking of undergoing a root canal once they chip or crack their tooth because not all situations of this nature warrant a root canal. The Parker CO dentist will therefore examine you and only recommend a root canal if that is the best option in the circumstances.

Steps to Take When You Suspect You Need a Root Canal

If you are experiencing any of the warning signs described above, it is imperative that you make contact with Green Dental Care immediately so that an appointment can be scheduled for you. If your symptoms, such as pain, are severe, seek emergency dental care from Dr. Chris Green.

The second thing that you should remember if you suspect that you may need a root canal is to avoid doing anything that could potentially worsen the condition of the affected tooth. For example, avoid using that side of your mouth to chew hard food substances since they can make a crack or chip worse.

Thirdly, take an over-the-counter medication to ease your symptoms. Talk to a Parker dentist about the right OTC medication to take and how to use it. For example, Dr. Chris Green warns patients not to place an aspirin on a painful tooth since this mode of administration isn’t helpful in this situation. Aspirin is systemic, meaning that it can only work after being ingested orally and absorbed into the bloodstream. Worse still, aspirin will trigger a chemical burn on any gum tissue that it comes in contact with. Talking to a dentist before you use any medication to ease your symptoms is therefore warranted.

Don’t make any assumptions about your condition. For example, don’t put off going to the dentist because an online search you have done has shown you that the treatment you need could be expensive or invasive. Instead, visit Green Dental Care sooner rather than later so that a correct professional assessment can be done. You will receive the appropriate treatment in a timely manner so that avoidable complications can be averted.