Do You Need Root Canal Therapy?
Even though you may hear jokes about root canals on late night TV, the pain from an infected tooth is no laughing matter. Pain is a sign of infection or damage to the tooth nerve or surrounding tissue. Bacteria can invade the pulp, which is a soft area containing the nerve, found in the center of the tooth. If the infection is not treated it can create abscesses, swelling, pain and even bone loss around the site of infection. Antibiotics are often the first step, followed by treatment to remove the infection and seal the tooth.
Root canal therapy relieves the infection and pain and is done under local anesthetic. Advances in endodontic treatment and available anesthetics have made the procedure much more comfortable and predictable allowing you to comfortably save teeth that might otherwise be lost.
5 Signs That You May Need Root Canal Therapy
Sometimes you may not have symptoms of an infected root canal at all, but may still need treatment – this is why regular checkups with your dentist are so important. However, if you are experiencing any of the following common signs, you may require care:
Pain when you bite down or put any pressure on the tooth
Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures – particularly if the sensation remains after the hot or cold source is gone
Swelling and tenderness in the gums around the tooth
A recurring or persistent pimple, often white, on the gum
A tooth that has become discolored (darkening)
If you have any of these signs of root canal infection and are looking for a root canal dentist in Amherst, please contact us as soon as possible. Our Endodontist is a Board-certified specialist skilled and experienced in performing complete and comfortable root canal treatment. For more information on root canal therapy or our other dental services, including sedation dentistry, give us a call! We’re here to help.