Do You Need Root Canal Treatment?
Root canals have gotten a bad rap over the years as being extremely painful. Even though the procedure relieves pain rather than causes it, some of the myths about it remain. While some people experienced more pain in the past, advances in dental technology make it no more uncomfortable than getting a dental filling today. Its many benefits, ranging from the ability to continue eating your favorite foods to preventing extensive dental work in the future, far outweigh any minor discomfort.
According to the American Society of Endodontists, people who have had a root canal describe it as painless six times more often than those who have not had it and are reacting out of fear. If Dr. Diep has recently recommended root canal treatment for you or a family member, we hope you will take these words to heart.
How Do You Know When You Need a Root Canal?
People who eventually receive a root canal treatment often exhibit several of the same symptoms. Some of these include:
- Throbbing pain
- The intensity of the pain changes when standing up, drinking a hot or cold beverage, chewing, biting, or lying down to go to sleep at night
- Swelling and redness of the gums
- A pus-filled sac on the gum line
- Swelling extends to the face or neck
- The affected tooth appears darkened
If you experience any of these symptoms regularly, it’s important to notify Dr. Diep. He will evaluate the affected tooth as well as your gums and the teeth surrounding it. This allows him to determine if the roots of your tooth have died and need to have the pulp removed during a root canal.
What to Expect at Your Root Canal Appointment
Dr. Diep typically only needs one or two appointments to complete the root canal and relieve your pain. We provide you with a numbing anesthetic before removing the infected pulp with dental tools. After the pulp is removed, we clean the inside of your tooth and then seal it to ensure that bacteria can’t penetrate it again. Before you go home, Gentle Breeze Dental places a crown on the tooth. This enables you to bite and chew normally in addition to preventing infection and minimizing pain.
If you’re experiencing significant oral pain on a daily basis, don’t hesitate to contact us at any time.