endodontist rochester ny

Saving a Dying Tooth With Root Canal Therapy

A dentist performing a root canal on a patientUnderneath the hard enamel of your teeth there are many living nerves. When your teeth decay there is the risk that the pulp and the nerves can become infected, killing the tooth off. One way to save a dying tooth is with root canal therapy.

Root canals are incredibly complex. Before your dentist performs the procedure he will want to examine your tooth and perform an x-ray to assess the extent of the damage. You may then be given a course of antibiotics in order to clear up any infection that is currently present. After this, you will be given a local anesthetic so that the dentist can work on your tooth without causing too much discomfort.

Your dentist will then open up the top of the tooth, and remove any pulp inside. If you have an abscess, it will be drained at the same time.

Once the inside of the tooth has been cleared out, the next step is to hollow out the roots and then fill them to prevent further infection.

It is essential that the roots are filled in properly, because if they are not then more bacteria could get into the root canals, and they could become infected. Infection of a hollowed out canal is even worse than infection of the canal when it is still intact, because the dead, hollow root canal is an anaerobic environment and it does not get any blood supply, therefore the body’s immune system cannot tackle the infection.

In some cases, the treatment may require several sessions to hollow out all of the roots. If this is the case then the dentist will carry out a temporary filling in between sessions, to protect the tooth from infection. They will also provide antibiotics if necessary.

Depending on the reason that the root canal therapy was necessary, the hollowed out tooth may become discolored. Talk to your dentist if you are not happy with the way that the tooth looks. They will be able to offer advice on the best ways to treat the discoloration without damaging the tooth.

There are a number of cosmetic procedures that may be suitable, but you will need to wait for your mouth to heal after the root canal treatment before any of these are carried out. That could take a while if you need more than one session to fully fill the tooth.

If you need a local Rochester, NY dentist to do your root canal contact the dentists at emergencydentistrochesterny.com for a consultation and examination.

Do You Need An Emergency Root Canal?

A dentist performing a root canal on a patientWhat Are The Signs That It Is Time For An Emergency Root Canal?

Knowing that your dentist has you covered for dental emergencies is very important. However, many patients are not sure when it is time for an emergency dental visit.

While root canals are common procedures the timing of the treatment matters to avoid the loss of a tooth or major dental work.

Here are some signs that it time for an emergency root canal.

What Is A Root Canal?

Teeth are made up of the hard exterior portion of the tooth that we see when we smile as well as the soft tissue within. When teeth become diseased and an infection sets in, that soft tissue is affected. It may become inflamed as it fights the infection, causing great pain. If the infection persists long enough, that soft tissue as well as the underlying bone tissue may die and decay which can lead to the loss of the tooth.

During a root canal procedure, the dentist removes the affected pulp within the tooth. The area is then cleaned and the pulp canal is sealed. This procedure is performed more than 15 million times each year in the United States.

Signs That An Emergency Root Canal Is Necessary

When a tooth is infected, there is increased sensitivity to temperatures, both hot and cold. As the infection worsens and moves to the bone, the area surrounding the tooth often becomes tender to the touch. Chewing food may trigger episodic pain. When left untreated, swelling may occur in the face as well as within the oral region.

If you experience these symptoms, you should call for a regular dental appointment as soon as possible. However, when the pain does not subside and continually increases while facial swelling does not subside, it is time to call for emergency dental care.

Is The Root Canal Done Right Away?

In some cases, an emergency root canal may be done immediately. However, depending upon the extent of the infection, the pain may be managed, the infection treated, and the root canal scheduled for a later date. The dentist will make the determination after an examination.

The best course of action is to act before your mouth begins to hurt. The chances of keeping your tooth are better the earlier treatment is sought. However, when a severe toothache occurs, it is best to come in as soon as possible to take care of the problem.

The good news is that we do emergency root canal treatment in Rochester, NY and are available 24/7.