We don’t want you to be afraid if you ever hear someone say, “You need a root canal treatment.”
We know root canals conjure some unfortunate images. People associate the procedure with pain, which has made many people hesitant to receive root canal therapy when they really do need it.
The only pain that should be associated with root canal treatment is pain relief.
At Bayou Dental Group, root canals are meant to alleviate problems you are having or to prevent you from experiencing the problems that come with having infected pulp inside one of your teeth.
Please, give us a call if you are having a toothache and you need a dentist in or near Monroe, LA. Remember that root canals are meant to relieve your pain, not cause more of it.
What Is A Root Canal?
The root canal is not actually a procedure, it is a part of your tooth.
You may already know that your tooth is divided into two major sections, the crown (which is the part that is visible when you smile or open your mouth) and the root (which is the part under your gums).
The roots are like legs that protrude from the bottom of your tooth. Inside each of those legs is an opening called a root canal.
This opening is how nerves and blood vessels reach the center of your teeth. You also have a soft tissue known as pulp on the inside of your teeth including inside your root canals.
Most of the time, these things exist without causing you any problems. A root canal treatment is needed when the inside of your tooth becomes infected.
These kinds of infections are often the result of tooth decay or gum disease. Bacteria uses the sugar in your foods to build plaque. From the plaque, bacteria can form an acid that can eat into your tooth.
If this happens on the crown of your tooth, you may have tooth decay that works its way through your enamel into the softer dentin and eventually into the pulp at the center of your tooth.
With gum disease, the bacteria may infect the tissues around the root of your tooth. The roots are covered with a substance called cementum, which is not as hard as the enamel on the crown of your tooth. If bacteria can eat through the cementum, they may be able to infect the pulp by reaching your root canal.
No matter how your pulp becomes infected it may lead to an abscessed tooth. An abscess is a pocket filled with thick, yellow fluid.
What Symptoms Indicate That You May Need A Root Canal Treatment?
Root canal problems can develop slowly although routine check-ups may identify problems before they get to this stage.
Here are things you should be aware of:
- Toothaches
- Increased tooth sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweets
- Pimple-like bumps on your gums near the tooth that hurts
- Swelling, tenderness near the aching tooth
- A tooth that turns darker
If you notice any of these problems, please contact Bayou Dental Group as soon as you are able.
What Is A Root Canal Treatment?
Before we do a root canal treatment, we will examine your mouth and make X-rays to confirm the diagnosis. We don’t want to do a root canal treatment unless it is necessary.
If you do need a root canal treatment, we will start by numbing your mouth or administering dental sedation. You should not feel any pain during your procedure.
After creating an opening in your tooth, we will remove the infected pulp along with the blood vessels and nerves inside your tooth.
Then we will clean and sanitize the inside of your tooth. Your tooth will be filled with a rubbery material that will help it maintain its shape and reduce the risk of reinfection.
We will close the tooth with a filling or a dental crown, depending on whichever is most appropriate for your situation.
You should notice the pain from your toothache has gone. We will provide you with instructions on how to care for your tooth as you recover from the root canal treatment.
In the long-term, this will help you keep your tooth and maintain your smile.
Saving Your Oral Health
At Bayou Dental Group in Monroe, LA, the last thing our dentist wants to do is cause pain to you or any of our patients.
A root canal treatment is done under anesthesia or sedation, so you won’t feel any pain during the procedure. When it’s over, the pain of your toothache will go away.
Call us at 318-323-9303 or use our online form to contact us if you have experienced any of the symptoms that could indicate you have an infected tooth.