A root canal procedure is a last-ditch effort to save an infected tooth. If your tooth becomes infected, it could cause serious health issues for you in the near future.
But how can you tell if you need to make an appointment for a root canal procedure? It turns out there are a few specific symptoms you should watch out for when it comes to your oral health. Here’s what our root canal dentist wants you to know about tooth infections and root canal therapy.
Root Canal Signs
Symptoms of Tooth Infections
It’s important to understand you may not see any signs that you need an emergency root canal until it’s too late to save the tooth. For this reason, it’s important to see Dr. Helmus every 6 months for routine dental checkups. During your preventative dental appointment, we’ll be able to examine your mouth and take dental x-rays to make sure there are no cavities.
There are a few main symptoms of tooth infections that could require a root canal procedure. Call Dr. Helmus if you notice:
- Severe toothache
- Prolonged sensitivity to hot and cold
- Tooth darkening in color
- Abscess (or pimple) on the gums
- Swollen gums
Root Canal Procedure
The goal of the root canal procedure is to save an abscessed tooth so it won’t need to be extracted. This means that Dr. Helmus will need to remove the decaying tooth nerve, along with the infected tooth pulp. Without root canal treatment, the tooth would die and need to be extracted.
First, Dr. Helmus will need to locally anesthetize the tooth so you won’t feel any pain during the root canal procedure. You’ll feel a slight pinch as our team injects the pain reliever. Next, he will drill a small hole near the top of the tooth.
Once a sufficient opening has been made, Dr. Helmus will remove the infected from the inside of your tooth. For good measure, he may flush the inside of your tooth with water and anti-microbial solution to make sure any remaining and bacteria is removed. Afterwards, a temporary filling will be used to seal the small hole.
A few weeks later, you will return to our office to have a root canal crown fitted over your tooth so it looks and feels natural.
What to Do If You Have a Toothache
If your tooth is starting to hurt, it’s important to call our root canal dentist as soon as possible. Dr. Helmus will be able to take dental x-rays and examine your teeth so they can properly diagnose the problem. You should always schedule an appointment with Dr. Helmus at the first sign of dental discomfort. Be sure to describe your symptoms to the person answering your call so they can determine whether emergency dental care is appropriate for your situation.
If you have any symptoms of an infected tooth, you might need to have a root canal procedure. It’s important to visit our Wyoming, MI root canal dentist right away. To schedule your appointment, call River Ridge Dentistry at (616) 538-7320.