Root canals are a type of procedure used to treat a badly infected tooth. During it, the dentist thoroughly cleans the inside of the tooth to remove all the infected tissue. Often, a root canal will require a dental crown to restore the impacted tooth to its full size and function.
If you think you may need a root canal, it’s best to book your appointment sooner rather than later. Here’s why a root canal is considered an emergency dental procedure.
A tooth infection usually starts small, as a cavity. As time goes on, the bacteria that has caused the cavity slowly eats away at the tooth until the point that it reaches the pulp and nerves. In some cases, the infection spreads so much that the tissue makes its way down to the root of the tooth.
If in the beginning that small cavity results in some minor pain and sensitivity to heat and cold, the tooth infection often presents with high and intense pain and swelling. At-home can include taking over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen to ease your discomfort.
Essentially, this is the main reason why root canals are considered emergency dental health services. The only way for you to relieve your pain is to see a dentist as soon as possible.
It’s not just about pain relief. Root canals can help you avoid a permanent tooth extraction. The dentist will clean the inside of your tooth, resize it, and then apply a custom dental crown on top in order to restore it. With extraction, you’d need another type of reconstructive procedure to replace it, such as getting a dental implant.
Additionally, through a root canal, you can stop the infection from spreading. It’s rather common for a tooth infection located on the upper arch to reach your sinuses and lead to a sinus infection. Not only that, but a tooth infection is just like a regular infection - the possibility of sepsis is real.
Sepsis is a life-threatening bodily response to infections which usually presents with the following symptoms:
If these symptoms are present, it’s important to call 911 right away and get immediate medical attention.
The sooner you get your infected tooth treated, the more chances you have of avoiding permanent tooth loss and other complications. Dr. Anna Paholiouk is here to help you access swift root canal therapy designed to relieve your pain and restore your oral health.
For a regular visit, you can book an appointment at Monarch Dental Arts online and stop by our office soon.
Think you may need emergency dental services? Then call us at (949) 392-4222 right away!