Root Canal (Endodontic) treatment is necessary when the pulp becomes inflamed or infected. The inflammation or infection can have a variety of causes: deep decay repeated dental procedures on the tooth or a crack or chip in the tooth. In addition, a blow to a tooth may cause pulp damage even if the tooth has no visible chips or cracks. If pulp inflammation or infection is left untreated, it can cause pain or lead to an abscess.
Symptoms of Possible Infection
- The tooth is sensitive to hot or cold
- The tooth hurts when biting or pressure
- There is a throbbing, severe tooth pain
- The area is swollen
- You have a bad taste in your mouth
Sometimes, there are no obvious or noticeable symptoms to let you know there is a problem. Only regular dental visits and digital x-rays (as well as the expert eye of the dentist) can reveal the underlying trauma.
We first remove the inflamed or infected pulp, the dentist then carefully cleans and shapes the inside of the tooth, and fills and seals the space. A restoration or crown will be placed on the tooth to protect and restore it to full function.
Many endodontic procedures are performed to relieve the pain of toothaches caused by pulp inflammation or infection. With modern techniques and anesthetics, most patients report that they are completely comfortable during the procedure.
For the first few days after treatment, your tooth may feel sensitive, especially if there was pain or infection before the procedure. This discomfort can be relieved with over-the-counter or prescription medications. Follow your Northern Hills Dentists’ instructions carefully.
Your tooth may continue to feel slightly different from your other teeth for some time after your endodontic treatments are completed. However, as with any dental treatment if you have severe pain or pressure or pain that lasts more than a few days, call our office!
To learn more about Root Canal Therapy, please contact us for a consultation appointment.
