If you find that you are experiencing tooth pain, you’ll want to schedule an appointment with Forest Hills Dental for Dr. Mark to take a look. If he notices your tooth has a cavity, a simple cleaning and filling may be enough. If the decay has gotten bad enough and is affecting the root of the tooth, though, a root canal procedure will be required.
When people hear “root canal” they often get nervous. There is a misconception about the procedure that causes many people to avoid it. Sadly, avoiding a root canal leads to much worse damage to a patient’s oral health over time. In reality, the procedure is pretty simple and generally pain-free.
Below is information about root canals, why you need a root canal procedure, and how Forest Hills Dental can resolve the issue and save your tooth.
What Is a Root Canal?
A root canal is a dental procedure that involves a dentist removing the infection from the pulp of a tooth. Once decay gets bad enough, bacteria can reach the root of the tooth and cause an infection. In order to save the tooth, a root canal procedure will need to be performed.
The procedure itself begins with the dentist numbing the area so the patient doesn’t feel discomfort and pain. They will then place a dental dam. The dentist drills into the tooth then cleans out the bacteria and infection. Once the infected pulp has been removed, a sealant and filling are placed.
If it’s a back tooth that needs to be treated, a dental crown may be required to ensure the security of the tooth. This decreases the risk of fracture.
If you would like to learn more about root canal procedures, reach out to Forest Hills Dental. We can discuss the procedure with you in greater detail and schedule an appointment for Dr. Mark to perform an examination of the tooth that you believe may be infected.
Should I Get a Root Canal?
There are a few reasons you will need to get a root canal if your root pulp is infected.
One thing you’ll notice with a root pulp infection is the pain. This pain isn’t going to get better over time. Instead, it will only get more severe. This can make it difficult to eat and will cause general, ongoing discomfort.
If a root canal procedure isn’t performed, the infection will continue to worsen and spread. At a certain point, your tooth will no longer be viable. Your only option will be a tooth extraction and a replacement.
Another major factor to consider is that the infection doesn’t stop at the pulp. Instead, it can actually make its way into the jawbone and the bloodstream.
Some of the reasons why your dentist may recommend root canal treatment are in cases of:
- Severe decay that reaches the nerve chamber
- A cracked tooth
- An abscess at the root of your tooth
While tooth decay is often the culprit of a root pulp infection, an infection can also occur if the tooth gets cracked and isn’t treated.
Abscessed Tooth Diagnosis
A dental abscess is often quite painful and easy to notice. With that said, they aren’t always painful, and patients don’t always realize they are occurring. Because of this, it’s very important to visit Forest Hills Dental every six months for a checkup. During this checkup, your dentist will be able to determine if you are suffering from an abscessed tooth.
If you find you have a dark area by your tooth root and/or you are experiencing pain, set an appointment with Forest Hills Dental. We will perform an x-ray and determine the source of the problem. If an abscess is found, Dr. Mark will perform a root canal procedure.
Does a Root Canal Hurt?
While you may experience pressure during a root canal procedure, you shouldn’t experience any pain. This is because a numbing anesthetic is used to prevent any pain from occurring.
After the completion of your root canal procedure, you’ll notice the pain and discomfort you were experiencing before will disappear. It’s much better to experience a little pressure for a short period than ongoing pain.
Why Forest Hills Dental?
Dr. Gregory Mark has over 30 years of experience in the field of dentistry, and he provides top-quality dental services. The team at Forest Hills Dental is also comprised of top experts in their fields.
We believe in treating our patients like family, and we provide them with the high-quality service they deserve. We want to see you smile!
