If your dentist gave you the news that you might need a root canal, you might be freaking out if this is your first root canal ever. You should know that this is nothing to freak out about. Root canals are actually a painless procedure. Most patients associate root canals with the pain they feel in their tooth beforehand from the infection. If you’re wondering if a root canal is a good option for you, Chesterfield Family Dental in Springfield has all the answers you’ve been searching for.
What is a Root Canal?
To start, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with what exactly a root canal is. A root canal is a procedure that removes the infected pulp from your tooth and then fills the tooth with a rubbery filling to restore the strength back to your tooth. Once your tooth root becomes infected, there are really only two options you can do: root canal therapy or extract the tooth. Our Springfield dentist recommends doing everything in your power to avoid an extraction. The benefits of keeping your tooth root intact outweigh dealing with a root canal. Following your extraction, we will place a dental crown to further protect your tooth. Dental crowns look completely natural and provide your tooth with the extra strength they need following a root canal.
A Root Canal is a Good Option for You If You Have These Problems:
There are a few different reasons why you would need a root canal, to begin with. One of the top reasons is because you have extensive decay in your tooth. This can be caused by a cavity that was never treated or from improper dental hygiene practices. Another reason you might need a root canal is if you have a chip or crack in your tooth. These chips or cracks can break deep and actually cause an infection in your tooth without treatment. Another reason you might need a root canal is if your tooth is weak from having multiple dental procedures on it. The last reason that you might need a root canal is if you have a defective crown. This will require a root canal and replacement of your dental crown.
Symptoms You Need a Root Canal
If you need a root canal, there are a few symptoms to look out for. In most cases, the patient will be in serious pain in one of their teeth. You will experience sensitivity to both heat and cold. You may also see some discoloration of your tooth if it is infected. If you need a root canal, you may also find that your tooth hurts if you touch it or chew with it. In addition, you may see swelling around the tooth that is infected. This is from the infection. The infection in your tooth can also potentially cause drainage or tenderness from your nearby lymph glands. Lastly, you can experience other bone or gum problems. If you have any of these symptoms, it’s important to visit your dentist as soon as possible.
Visit Your Springfield Root Canal Dentist Today
If you think you might need a root canal, get in touch with our Springfield root canal dentist by giving us a call or filling out our online form. We look forward to helping you!