A root canal cleans out infection from the interior of a tooth, but dentists will attempt other options, such as dental fillings, when possible. Therefore, it can be hard for patients to know when they may need a root canal or whether a problem can be solved in another way. The signs that you may need this procedure can vary depending on what harm has befallen the tooth. Being able to identify these signs can help you get to the dentist before the problem worsens.
Dentists will drill an entry point into a tooth in order to access the pulp chamber when performing a root canal. After cleaning out the interior of the tooth, they fill it with gutta-percha and seal it so it remains strong. Since the inside of the tooth is affected, the signs that a patient may need a root canal will stem from problems within the tooth. These indicators include the following.
A tooth gets its hue from the materials that it is made from, both externally and internally. When the inside of the tooth (the pulp) becomes infected, the shade of the tooth can change, often to a dark yellow or even gray. This is due to the interior blood vessels succumbing to bacterial overload. If a patient’s tooth is changing color, they should see a dentist for an evaluation.
The interior of the tooth houses blood vessels and nerves. These nerves can become irritated and inflamed, but since they are trapped inside the rigid confines of the tooth interior, they can cause significant pain.
Many affected people report that the pain caused by nerves inside a tooth is significant enough that they cannot focus on anything else, and they may struggle to sleep. Over-the-counter pain medication may not help much. If a patient begins to experience persistent pain, even if it is not yet severe, they should head to the dentist.
The blood vessels inside the tooth exit through the root and into the gum area. When infection arises, the gums can become inflamed and may even develop small pimple-like abscesses as the infection grows. Treating this issue quickly with a root canal is of the utmost importance, as it can spread throughout the body.
Whenever patients notice a change in their gums, they should see the dentist right away. A root canal can likely resolve the problem quickly.
A root canal may seem like a complex procedure, but it is a routine process that can often be completed in less than an hour on an outpatient basis. If you suspect that you may need a root canal, contact our office to schedule an appointment! We will fit you in as soon as possible to relieve any pain and save your tooth from further infection and bacterial development.
Request an appointment here: http://lbfamilydental.com or call Leila Zamiri DDS at (562) 453-1214 for an appointment in our Long Beach office.
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