Albertville, AL
Swollen gums. A discolored tooth. Pain, especially when biting down. A heightened sensitivity to hot and cold. What do these four things have in common? They are all symptoms of a tooth that needs a root canal. If you have a tooth that has been causing you trouble, why not ring in the new year by treating that troublesome tooth by receiving a root canal in Albertville from the experienced and highly-trained team at Wall Street Dentistry. We understand the thought of a root canal can be intimidating, maybe even frightening. That’s why, today on the blog, we want to tell you what you need to know about root canals.
What is a root canal?
A root canal usually is performed to treat a tooth that is badly damaged due to decay, an existing dental restoration that has failed or physical trauma. In many cases, a root canal is needed because the dental pulp – the soft interior of a tooth that includes the blood vessels and nerve – has become infected. When performed by a dentist with the proper training and expertise, a root canal prevents tooth loss.
The procedure itself entails removing all the damaged or infected area of your tooth, including the dental pulp. The interior of your tooth is cleaned, disinfected, and then sealed by placing a dental crown to replace the tooth exterior.
Will a root canal hurt?
Advances in dental technology have made a root canal relatively painless, especially when the procedure is performed by an experienced dentist. There may be sensitivity following the procedure, but over-the-counter pain relief medications should handle any temporary discomfort. You also will be advised to eat a diet of soft foods for the first few days after a root canal.
When does a tooth need a root canal?
If the roots of your tooth are severely inflamed or infected, this procedure can eliminate the cause of the pain and allow you to keep your tooth. If infection reaches the dental pulp, a root canal treatment may be the only way to save the tooth. The most common signs of the type of infection or inflammation that require a root canal include severe pain while chewing, having a chipped or cracked tooth, experiencing sensitivity to hot or cold, swollen gums, gum tenderness and discoloration in the tooth or supporting area of the gum.
Are there alternatives to a root canal?
The only alternative to a root canal treatment is to extract the tooth that is causing problems. If the tooth in question is already dead or irreversibly damaged, your tooth will not heal and needs to be removed.
Root canals in Albertville, Boaz and Guntersville in Alabama
Don’t wait to seek a root canal until your tooth is not treatable. Prevent tooth loss, stop living with the pain caused by your troublesome tooth and contact the team at Wall Street Dentistry. Endodontics is one of the specialties of our dentists. Schedule your consultation today by calling our office in Albertville at (256) 878-0525 or completing our online contact form.
