People tend to fear a root canal treatment, which in a sense, is ironic. The procedure itself is not very complicated and will relieve pain instead of causing pain. Unfortunately, root canal treatment has a reputation of being extremely uncomfortable and more than a little painful. The truth is, having an infected root is very painful, as the infection sends massive amounts of pain signals to the brain.
However, this has nothing to do with the root canal treatment itself, which relieves pain. Association is a very powerful memory maker, and so patients think of a root canal treatment in terms of the pain they were actually experiencing because of the infected pulp. During the course of the root canal treatment, we will be removing the infected pulp, cleaning and sealing the inside of the tooth. We will make sure that we will remove any element causing pain. In a sense, the root canal treatment is the end of the road for the infection pain.
When the outside of the tooth or gums becomes infected, there is always a chance of the infection spreading to the dental pulp. When the infection spreads to the pulp, the soft area inside the tooth, it starts to break down. As the pulp breaks down, the bacteria begins to rapidly to multiply within the tooth's inner chamber. This inner chamber also contains the blood vessels and connective tissue used under normal circumstances to nourish the tooth.
In the worst case scenario, the tooth will actually form an abscess, or a pus-filled pocket, that forms at the root's end. Once the pulp is infected, there is really no alternative route other than performing a root canal treatment to save the tooth. Since the root is only involved in the sensory functions of the tooth, it can be removed with very little consequence.
People often ask, “How will I know that I need root canal treatment?” Here are a few easy ways to know if it is time to talk to Asha Dental and get an inspection for an infected tooth.
You have a swelling or tenderness around the gums
This can range from being very slight, where you will not even notice it, to extremely obvious.
The tooth will become highly sensitive, especially to changes in temperature
This is simply the reaction your teeth have when exposed to heat or cold. When the tooth is infected, changes in temperature are likely to send a sharp pain into your gums. You could have reoccurring or persistent pain
The pain can be a sharp headache that does not go away quickly or a dull and continuous ache. If the pain is severe enough to wake you up in the middle of the night, it is definitely time to see a dentist.
When you are dealing with a tooth with damaged nerves and pulp, a root canal is typically the first procedure your dentist recommends. It is not the only option though. You also have the option of having to remove the tooth. This will bring an end to any pain from the tooth as well as…
As a dentist office in Leawood, we use fluoride to help strengthen teeth. You may even see ads for toothpaste containing fluoride and wonder if it even works; let alone, how it works. Fluorine is a naturally occurring substance that is most commonly found in the air, food, and dirt. Now, fluoride is also found…
We provide preventative dental care in Leawood and can help you to have lifelong oral health. There are steps that you can take for your health and the health of your family. These steps include daily care at home and regular dental visits. Working together is the best way to ensure that your teeth and…
Hyperdontia, the condition of having extra teeth in the mouth, can be a difficult condition to suffer from, and it often causes individuals to seek treatment to remove the excess teeth.In most cases, hyperdontia does not cause any oral health concerns, although extra teeth can make functions of the mouth more difficult and cause one…
While dental implants offer an array of benefits to anyone seeking a way to restore their teeth, there may be a few reasons why waiting to get dental implants is best. People often research both the good and the bad things about certain procedures, but it’s often beneficial for most people to take time to think about something as…
Dental implants have come a long way over the years. For those who are missing all of their teeth, for a long time, dentures were the only solution. But dentures require adhesives that are not reliable, allowing them to fall out at the most inopportune times.Fast forward to now and there are solutions! In fact,…