Root Canal Treatments in Swampscott MA
Root canal is probably a phrase no one wants to hear during their visit to the dentist. Root canals have a reputation for causing discomfort during and after the treatment. Although that reputation might not be as fair as used to be. Thanks to modern dental innovations, root canal procedures done nowadays are much less arduous than the procedures that were done decades prior. Moreover, a root canal can be a tooth saving procedure. When decay reaches the root of a tooth it can cause some serious dental problems. Infections can lead to severe toothaches and abscesses and the decay can impact the gums and the surrounding teeth including weakening the jawbone leading to tooth loss. If you need to see a dentist for either a regular appointment or to address issues like a toothache, please give our office a call.
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When Do You Need A Root Canal Treatment?
Root canal treatments are recommended similar to how dental fillings are recommended. A filling is done when decay has eroded the outside of a tooth past the enamel and into the dentin. The decayed section is drilled and cleaned before a filling is added to replace the lost part of the tooth. Similarly, a root canal treatment is necessary when decay spreads to the root of a tooth. In the old days, when decay got to a tooth’s root there was nothing to be done other than extract that tooth in order to address the pain, infections, and other dental issues associated with an infected root. But luckily, root canals can save the tooth. Similar to a filling, a root canal involves cleaning out the decayed tooth root and then filling that root. Once the root is filled the tooth usually requires a dental crown to replace the section of the tooth that had to be opened in order to access the tooth’s root. For more information, please keep reading or give our office a call.
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How Do I Know If I Need A Root Canal?
Our teeth are unfortunately really bad at warning us of problems like decay. Most of our nerves are deep inside of our teeth in the tooth pulp. Because of this, most dental problems go unnoticed for awhile. That is why every dentist recommends regular cleanings and exams. By seeing a dentist every six months you limit the amount of time dental problems can grow and spread. That said, there are some symptoms to be aware of that might be a sign that you need a root canal.
Toothaches
This is pretty straightforward. If your tooth hurts frequently, or there is a throbbing or recurring pain that is localized to a specific tooth, that is usually a good sign that there is a problem that tooth. While toothaches can have multiple causes, all of them require a dentist’s help. If you are experiencing a toothache that keeps coming back or never goes away, call a dentist to set up an appointment.
Dental Sensitivity
If you notice that a specific tooth is sensitive to temperature, pressure, or just sensitive in general, this is often a sign of damage to the nerves inside of the tooth. This can be a sign that there is an infection inside the tooth’s root. When it comes to sensitivity, be aware if sensitivity is recurring, severe, or consistent. If sensitivity makes it difficult to chew, you should call a dentist.
Signs Of An Abscess
An abscess occurs when pus from an infection pools up underneath the gum. If you notice a bump on your gum that is sensitive to touch, this can be a sign of decay inside the nearby tooth or teeth. Abscesses can also lead to other infection symptoms including swelling lymph nodes and a fever. The bump can also rupture leading to pus in your mouth.
Chipped/Cracked Teeth
As decay weakens the inside of your tooth, it becomes weaker and more likely that the tooth will crack, chip, or break. If you notice that your tooth is cracked or chipped and there isn’t an obvious injury that would have caused this, this is often a sign of a deeper issue. Regardless of the cause, you should always see a dentist if your teeth are chipped or cracked.
What Happens During A Root Canal
A root canal procedure is fairly similar to getting a simple filling. The area around the tooth is numbed using a local anesthetic. The top of the tooth is opened so that a special device can be used to go into the affect root. That root is then cleaned out and the tooth is then filled. A dental crown is often installed to protect the chewing surface of the tooth and close off the hole that was created to perform the root canal. It is common to feel some light discomfort after a root canal treatment, similar to the discomfort you would feel after a dental filling.
Schedule Your Dental Appointment with Whiting Dental Arts
If you live in Swampscott Massachusetts or the surrounding towns and you need to make a dental appointment for yourself or a member of your family, please give our office a call or contact us through our form below to schedule a consultation with our team.