There is nothing quite like the sharp pain that can come from a toothache. When a simple cavity is allowed to grow unchecked, the decay and bacteria can spread into the roots of the tooth and the chances of needing a root canal greatly increase. The resulting pain can be quite miserable, and leave you reaching for the ice packs and pain pills, to no avail. While many dental issues can be readily resolved with a deep cleaning or a filling, there are some situations where root canal therapy is the best solution for toothache and inflammation.
Do I really need to have root canal therapy?
Without a thorough examination of your tooth, and having a set of x-rays taken, there is no way for your dentist to determine the type of treatment you need. There are some signs however that could point toward you being headed to needing root canal therapy.
- Discoloration of the tooth
- Inflammation around the gum
- Pain that increases when pressure is applied to the tooth or gums
Keep in mind that there are situations where the damage may have been done some time ago, and you are no longer experiencing any pain. This is often because the roots have been destroyed by decay. Putting off getting root canal therapy will not only lead to you continuing to experience pain, but it could also potentially mean that you are going to lose the tooth and require an extraction.
Do root canals hurt a lot?
There are several misconceptions about root canal therapy, and one of the major concerns is that it is an incredibly pain procedure to have. The root canal procedure has an undeserved reputation for pain and misery. The truth is that most patients will feel little more than the pinch of the needle that administers the anesthetic. That needle stick will not feel nearly as painful as the continue pain you’ll experience when your tooth is throbbing relentlessly all night.
Your dentist will ensure that you feel no pain during the root canal procedure itself. Any post-procedure tenderness can be easily controlled with over the counter pain relievers.
What happens during the root canal procedure?
Once your dentist has numbed both your tooth and the gum surrounding it, the procedure will start. Your dentist will have carefully examined your x-rays, in order to gain an idea as to how much work is going to be needed on the tooth.
Your dentist will drill a small access hold in your tooth, and get to work on removing the decay that may be present in the tooth. The interior of the tooth, along with the root canals, will be cleaned out and sterilized. This will ensure that the infection is removed and no longer has the opportunity to spread. The interior of the tooth will be filled and sealed to protect it. You may need to have a dental crown placed over the tooth, in order to stabilize it and ensure that it’s protected from further damage.
Don’t delay getting treatment for a seriously painful toothache. The sooner that you make an appointment, the sooner you’ll get relief for that pain. Remember that getting the root canal procedure done can help to preserve your natural tooth and keep you from needing an extraction and dental implant. Call Ideal Smiles Dental at 718-535-1196, to schedule your appointment.
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Reference links:
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/root-canals#1
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Root_canal
https://www.aae.org/patients/root-canal-treatment/what-is-a-root-canal/