When people think of emergency dentistry, a root canal is not often the first word that comes to mind. Chipping a tooth, maybe, or maybe some oral trauma happened due to a car wreck — but a root canal? That advanced procedure is something that is taken care of during a regular dentist appointment, right? It hardly constitutes an emergency.
However, this is not always the case. While root canals may not be the first thing a person thinks of when considering emergency dental care, in some cases it can be a required emergency treatment.
A root canal is a procedure by which one can save a tooth that has become badly infected. The dentist drills a hole in the tooth and removes the infected pulp and nerve before thoroughly cleaning and sealing it. This prevents infection from spreading throughout the mouth and abscesses from forming in the gums, tooth or jaw.
Normally, fillings are enough for external tooth infections or decay. However, when an infection has gotten inside the tooth, a simple filling does not suffice. A root canal is generally the only way to take care of the problem outside of pulling the tooth out entirely.
Sometimes, symptoms arise due to complications of the oral infection that either cannot wait or are very difficult for the patient to bear. It can interfere with daily life to the point of distracting the sufferer at work, school or at home, preventing them from doing daily activities.
Specifically, the patient may experience intense pain that can encompass not just the tooth in question but radiates over a larger area. The patient may have difficulty eating, or the tooth may be hypersensitive to touch. In some cases, a small red bump may be seen near the affected area, which is the sign that an abscess may be forming.
One of these symptoms is bad enough. If a patient is dealing with a combination of these ailments, it can be quite problematic. In this case, an emergency procedure can be done.
When the signs of a badly infected tooth start to show, it is important to get it looked at right away. While some patients may wait because their case does not ‘feel’ like an emergency (as in, they are not in enough pain to believe it warrants a dental visit), putting off an important procedure is not the right way to go about taking care of one's oral health.
If you are feeling discomfort and there are external signs of severe infection (swelling gums, discoloration in the tooth, potential abscesses forming around the affected area), pay attention to the signals your body is sending you. Do not wait. The sooner an infected tooth is dealt with, the more problems can be avoided, both in terms of pain and in overall health.
Request an appointment here: https://dentistwoburnma.com or call Athena Dental Group at (781) 999-1817 for an appointment in our Woburn office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
When the subject of a root canal comes up, people often imagine an unbearable dental procedure that requires a relatively long recovery period. Endodontists perform a root canal when there is an issue such as infection or inflammation, which could cause tooth decay, cracked teeth or continuous treatment of the affected areas. Undergoing a root…
A root canal procedure is a type of dental treatment in which they remove the infected or decayed pulp in the root of a tooth to prevent the spread of an infection and preserve the long-term health of the tooth. It is helpful to understand the process dentists use during a root canal procedure to…
A root canal is a restorative procedure that can save a tooth from severe infection. If you are experiencing extreme pain in your mouth, you may need this treatment. This is no process to dread despite what you have heard about it. Your dentist will take great care to make you feel at ease. Do…
If a dentist says that you need root canal treatment, you might panic because of all the rumors you have heard about the procedure. There is a mistaken notion about dental procedures, especially when it comes to root canals. Most people think this procedure is painful and scary.However, this is not true. If you are…
The best way to prevent cavities or prevent a dental filling from becoming worn is…
Dental restorative procedures like implant supported dentures can be a solution to partial or complete…
With dental veneers, a dentist can change the tooth’s size, color, and length by attaching…
The right cosmetic dentist can improve your smile and dental function at the same time.
Partial dentures are not designed to last forever and are prone to damage over time.…
It is essential for braces wearers to avoid eating certain foods while undergoing treatment. Read…