Oral Pain: When You Need a Root Canal

If your tooth is in serious decay or a case where the pulp of the tooth is being compromised sometimes a root canal may be in order. Your dentist will often recommend a root canal as a last resort. This will help clean the tooth out from infections and will help cover the nerves of the tooth over so the pain goes away. Remember that once an adult tooth emerges from the gum line the tooth can only sense heat, cold, etc. thanks to the nerves in the tooth. When the nerve is removed from the tooth it helps take away any pain that is being experienced due to tooth decay. That’s the reason the root canal is removed is to ensure that the pain experienced is no longer an issue. Root canals are used in the most extreme cases of tooth decay when the decay reaches nerve level but many of the symptoms are pretty clear as to when you will need a root canal to be performed. Root canals need to be performed when you experience severe pain just putting pressure on that tooth or area of the mouth. Tooth pain continues when the hot or cold stimuli is removed. A small, pimple-like bump is present along with the pain on the gums near the area of the sore tooth/teeth. Darkening of the tooth itself. Tenderness or swelling of the gums in the area where the pain occurs. To perform a full root canal your dentist will take x-ray images to see how badly the tooth is infected before determining what if the tooth is badly infected enough for a full root canal. If it’s determined that a root canal is necessary then you will get a local anesthetic to help avoid pain during the actual procedure. The dentist will make a surgical opening at the crown of the tooth and go in to drain the infected pulp from the tooth to relieve the pain. In some cases, the dentist may have to leave the tooth open until the additional material can be drained then the tooth will be cleaned and resealed. Some cases may require the dentist to put a temporary seal on the tooth while the rest of the material and pulp drain from the tooth. At your next appointment, which usually will occur within a few days, the canal will be filled with a composite filling after the draining process is complete. A crown will be put on the compromised tooth/teeth to help keep the tooth from getting infected again in the future. Tooth pain may continue for a few days after the root canal, especially after the local anesthesia wears off. Use products to clean your teeth including a soft-bristled toothbrush that is specially made for sensitive teeth until the sensitivity subsides. If you continue to experience this sensitivity more than a week after the procedure sees your dentist for further evaluation. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about us visit us here or call us 909-465-1016. The Ramona Dentistry Team “Where Family Comes First”