Signs You May Need a Root Canal
Root canal treatment is used to repair teeth that are infected and badly decayed. During the procedure, the pulp is removed, and the tooth root canalis cleaned and sealed. Dr. Matthew Roper, Dr. Nathan McLaws, and Dr. Matthew Scheerhorn at Ocotillo Trails Family Dentistry in San Tan Valley, AZ, offers a full range of dental services. Here are five signs you may need a root canal. You have a toothache. Severe tooth pain upon chewing or application of pressure is a sign that you may need root canal treatment. A root canal is done to eliminate that pain. Root canals are nothing to fear. Your San Tan Valley dentist will use local anesthesia to numb the tooth and surrounding area. Local anesthesia is a type of anesthetic used to prevent pain during treatment. Many people have reported that root canal treatment is no more painful than getting a dental filling. Cold and hot bother you. Prolonged sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages is a sign you may need root canal therapy. Tooth sensitivity causes pain when the tooth is exposed to cold and hot temperatures through beverages and foods. Your tooth will no longer be sensitive to cold and hot foods and beverages after the procedure. Your gums are swollen. If you have swollen gums, you may need a root canal. The inflammation can range from being slight to pronounced. In severe cases, the inflammation may extend into your face and/or neck. Gum inflammation is often associated with infection, but it doesn’t always mean an infection is present. You have a bump on your gum. If you have a pimple-like bump or swollen area on your gum you may need a root canal. The bump may disappear and then come back. This bump is an accumulation of pus, which is associated with infection. Your dentist will treat this by performing a root canal. The bump will not disappear until your dentist repairs your tooth. You have a discolored tooth. One discolored tooth is also a sign that a root canal is needed. When the roots of the tooth that requires a root canal have died, the tooth may turn brown, dark yellow, gray, or black. Tooth discoloration can also be caused by injury or damaged dental filling, so visiting a dentist for a checkup is recommended if you have a darkened tooth. If you need a root canal, why wait? We can help you today! Ocotillo Trails Family Dentistry at 480-457-1977 today to schedule a dental appointment in San Tan Valley, AZ. If you need a root canal, don’t wait. Delaying a root canal will only lead to prolonged pain, suffering, and tooth loss.
When You Might Need a Root Canal
You woke up in the middle of the night with a throbbing, aching pain in your teeth. What’s going on? Our family dentist Dr. Matthew Roper understands just how stressful these moments can be, which is why our dental team offers immediate dentistry to those dealing with toothaches and serious dental matters. In this case, you may just need to get a root canal from our San Tan Valley, AZ, dental team. What does a root canal do? This commonly performed endodontic procedure will be performed if our San Tan Valley, AZ, family dentist finds that you have an infected dental pulp (a soft-tissue structure that lies within the tooth). The removal of the pulp will not affect the health or integrity of the tooth, but it is the only way to stop the spread of infection once bacteria has entered the inside of the tooth. By performing a root canal when you need it, we can prevent the bacteria from spreading further into the tooth, as well as into neighboring bone and teeth. A root canal can also prevent permanent damage from befalling one of your teeth. In essence, this simple procedure preserves natural teeth whenever possible, which also saves you time and money. You may like: The Benefits of Dental Implants What are the warning signs of an infected dental pulp? Some people with an infected or inflamed dental pulp could have it and not even know it. This is just one of the reasons why it’s a good idea to visit your dentist twice a year for checkups, as our dental team can catch these problems that you could easily miss. Of course, an infected dental pulp can also cause these telltale symptoms, A sudden and severe toothache A throbbing, aching or sharp toothache that gets worse when putting pressure on the tooth Increased or sudden lingering sensitivity Tender, swollen or painful gums around the tooth Sudden tooth darkening or discoloration (signs of tissue death within the tooth) Our San Tan Valley, AZ, dental team prides itself on providing root canals and other dentistry with a gentle touch. If you are dealing with a toothache or other dental symptoms that have you concerned, call Ocotillo Trails Family Dentistry right away at (480) 457-1977. You may like: Give Yourself a Smile You Love
How a root canal can help relieve pain
A toothache can be extremely uncomfortable. Unlike other aches and pains in the body, simply treating it with pain relievers and rest Root Canal won’t produce any results. In fact, delaying treatment of a toothache can make it much worse. In many cases, a root canal from one of the dentists at Ocotillo Trails Family Dentistry in Queen Creek, Arizona can make a huge difference in how your tooth feels and functions. What is a root canal? Root canals, also called endodontic therapy, help to restore a tooth’s function by clearing away the inner tissues of a tooth, which have become infected due to advanced decay or trauma. Using local anesthetic, your Queen Creek dentist uses tools to clean and disinfect the inside of the affected tooth. Dr. Tyler Saunders or Dr. Matthew Scheerhorn will then fill in the inner portion of the tooth with a rubber material that will strengthen the tooth and protect it from further damage. A porcelain crown is usually affixed to the top portion of the tooth to reinforce it further. You may like: Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures to Rejuvenate Your Smile Are root canals painful? Root canals have obtained an unfairly bad reputation as a painful, lengthy and risky procedure. This is due in part to outdated dental practices and faulty research studies. At Ocotillo Trails Family Dentistry in Queen Creek, we strive to stay educated on the most up-to-date techniques and take every precaution to ensure your health and safety during every procedure. In truth, a root canal is one of the faster dental procedures available, and its purpose is not to cause pain, but to relieve it by removing the infection. Many of our Queen Creek dental patients compare root canals to having a cavity filled – they take about the same amount of time and anesthesia. And with same-day crowns offered by your Queen Creek dentist, the entire procedure can be completed in one appointment. If you’d like more information on how a root canal can improve your dental health, give Ocotillo Trails Family Dentistry a call to set up an appointment with either Dr. Matthew Scheerhorn or Dr. Tyler Saunders! You may like: Patient Dental Education