Endodontic treatment, or root canal procedures, are valuable treatments that preserve teeth with badly infected roots. When the live tissue in your root, called the pulp, is infected, it can cause considerable pain and threaten the entire tooth.
The anticipation of a root canal can be anxiety-inducing for a lot of people, but the reality is that the treatment is designed to relieve your pain and allow your keep your natural tooth. At Madison Dental Studio, a root canal procedure doesn’t have to be an unpleasant experience, especially with the experienced dental team led by Dr. Pappa. If you’re experiencing pain, throbbing, or temperature sensitivity, please give us a call. We would love to help you feel better, so you can keep your teeth healthy.
What are the signs of an infected tooth?
An infected tooth can become very painful relatively quickly, especially if you don’t seek early intervention. Some typical symptoms of an infected tooth include:
- Swollen gums
- Bad breath
- Discoloration of your tooth
- Tooth soreness or tenderness
- Intense sensitivity to hot or cold
- Drainage or infection around the tooth
- Throbbing in your mouth or jaw
- A small, pimple-like bump on your gum
How is a root canal performed?
If you suspect you have an infection in your tooth, the team at Madison Dental Studio will first take x-rays to determine the extent of the infection.
If they confirm there’s an infection, the dentist numbs the area with a local anesthetic. Once you’re comfortable, your dentist makes an area to access the area of infection inside the root.
With a root canal procedure, your infection is removed, the tooth is cleaned, and a filling material is placed in the root. Finally, your tooth is crowned (or capped) to preserve it.