Root canal treatment - sometimes called root canal therapy or endodontic therapy - is necessary when an untreated cavity reaches all the way to the pulp. Treatment may also be needed when deep restorations or tooth trauma causes nerve damage.
Once the pulp becomes infected, it can begin to eat away at the surrounding bone to create an abscess. Infected tooth pulp is painful and will require treatment from our Wyoming root canal dentist since it cannot heal on its own.
You may need an emergency root canal if you experience:
- Tooth sensitivity to extreme temperatures or sweets
- A pimple or swelling on the gums
- Pain caused by biting or pressure
- A bad taste in your mouth
- Loose teeth
Since symptoms are not always noticeable, our Wyoming emergency dentist advises regular checkups to catch problems before they escalate.
The root canal procedure involves cleaning out the infected tooth pulp and disinfecting the canals of the tooth. Alternate treatment would be to extract the tooth. Once the infection is resolved, the canal is filled in to prevent any further infection. Usually a core build-up and root canal crown is recommended for restoring a tooth that has undergone the procedure. During root canal recovery, you may experience some tenderness near the area for a few days as it heals.
Dr. Helmus DDS at River Ridge Family & Cosmetic Dentistry has experience saving infected teeth with root canals. If you have a severe toothache and suspect you may need root canal therapy, call our Wyoming family dentistry at (616) 538-7320.