The outer layer of your tooth — the enamel — is strong and hard. But the tissues inside the enamel are soft. Under certain circumstances, teeth get damaged or severe decay develops, compromising the integrity of the inside of your tooth.
While restorative dentistry gives you the ability to replace missing or damaged teeth with artificial ones, it’s always best to try and preserve a natural tooth. Root canals are common dental procedures that remove serious dental infections and stop decay so you can keep your natural tooth.
At Meadowbrook Dental Care in Mineola, New York, Dr. Miguel A. Casañas is an expert in performing root canals to save teeth. Whether you need a root canal or you’re suffering from tooth pain or have another oral health issue, our expert dental team can help. Here, we’ve put together some helpful information on root canals to help you further understand the benefits.
Why do I need a root canal?
Severe infection is the most common reason for needing a root canal. In addition, an injury or blow to the face could cause a tooth to die.
Serious tooth decay or damage allows bacteria to flourish, causing severe infection to the pulp inside of your tooth. Warning signs of a tooth infection include:
Inflamed gums
Toothache
Sensitivity to hot and cold
Changes in tooth color
A small bump on your gums
An infected tooth can cause significant pain. Any of the above symptoms could be a sign that you might need a root canal.
Root canal to the rescue
A root canal may be the best option for saving your tooth if the pulp inside your tooth is damaged, infected, or seriously decayed. When you visit Meadowbrook Dental Care, we begin by taking X-rays of the affected tooth to evaluate the extent of the problem.
To perform a root canal, we use a local anesthetic around the tooth to keep you comfortable. After your tooth and gums are numb, you shouldn’t feel any discomfort. Start to finish, the process normally takes an hour on average.
Your doctor makes an opening at the top of your tooth to access the pulp inside of the tooth and root. He then carefully cleans out all of the damaged and infected material. Following the root canal procedure, he seals your tooth shut to prevent bacteria from entering again. Placing a crown over the tooth can provide added protection.
Once all signs of infection are gone, damage to the tooth ceases. Teeth discolored from injury or infection may return to their natural shade after a root canal. Choosing to have a root canal preserves your tooth and allows you to keep it for years to come.
Temporary tooth sensitivity is common for a few days after root canal treatment, but any side effects should fade in just a few days. Many patients are surprised to learn that they feel less tooth pain immediately after their root canal procedure.
Find out if a root canal could save your tooth. Call Meadowbrook Dental Care to schedule an appointment with one of our dentists, or request an appointment online today.