Is A Root Canal A Dental Emergency?

Some dental needs can’t wait for a regular appointment. In these moments, you need to seek emergency dental services that can help you restore the health of your teeth, and remove any uncomfortable symptoms like pain or swelling.

For example: if you think you need a root canal, then you should see a dentist sooner rather than later.

And here’s why:
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Why You May Need a Root Canal

A root canal is a type of dental procedure needed to address a badly infected tooth. When a person needs a root canal, you can expect them to experience a few severe symptoms:

• High levels of pain that won't go away
• Severe swelling
• Sensitivity to hot and cold
• In some cases, even a fever

Because the symptoms are so uncomfortable, and cannot be managed with OTC medication, the only way to address it is to see a dentist. This is one of the biggest reasons why a root canal is considered an emergency dental procedure.
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Root Canals May Be Able to Save Your Tooth

Another reason why root canals are emergency treatments is that they can help prevent permanent tooth loss.

The reason why the infection is causing such severe symptoms is that the bacteria causing it has started affecting the nerves of the tooth. If left untreated, the infection can spread and damage the integrity of the tooth.

The bigger the infection is, the more tooth tissue the dentist will need to remove in order to heal it. And sometimes, if the tooth is badly infected, the dentist may need to perform an extraction instead of a root canal.
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How Does a Root Canal Work?

A root canal involves removing all the infected pulp from inside the tooth. After that, the dentist will have to reshape the tooth and prepare it for a dental crown, since in most cases tooth infections will require removing a lot of the tooth’s natural structure, and the whole left cannot be filled with a simple dental filling.

Usually, the root canal is done in just one-two appointments, but it does greatly depend on your specific case. You may also be prescribed antibiotics if the infection is severe and has spread to the jaw or is affecting your immune system.

Apart from the root canal, you may also need to come in for your dental crown. The dentist will take a mold of your teeth and send it to a lab to have a custom crown created for you. Once it’s done, it will be permanently cemented on top of the impacted tooth.
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Think You May Need a Root Canal? Don’t Wait!

If you have a tooth infection and may need a root canal, Dr. Navaneetha Brindha Natchimuthu is here to help. Call us at (469) 242-9500 right away.

For a regular appointment at West Allen Dental, use our online form.