What your dentists in Norfolk want you to know
A root canal is a state-of-the-art way to save your tooth from dental extraction, but you might not always know if you need a root canal. Dental problems can sneak up on you, sometimes with little or no symptoms or warning. So how do you know if you need a root canal? Dr. Minda Sapir and Dr. Shabtai Sapir at Norfolk Family & Pediatric Dentistry in Norfolk, MA want to help answer that question.
You may need a root canal if you have a decayed area that reaches deep into the pulp of your tooth, or if a tooth does not recuperate from a deep filling when an attempt was made to save the tooth. The pulp chamber is the innermost tissue deep inside your tooth. It contains the blood supply and nerves that keep your tooth alive. Once decay reaches the pulp chamber, tissue begins to die and your tooth can become very painful. The pulp can also be damaged from a traumatic injury to your face, or an accident.
Teeth can also begin to die with no symptoms. It can happen if you grind your teeth or cause chronic trauma to your teeth. The pulp hardens and the inside of the roots of your teeth begin to close up, a process called sclerosis. You may not feel pain, but you will usually notice the tooth darkening when compared to the teeth next to it.
Some of the more obvious signs and symptoms that can result in a root canal include:
- Chronic tooth pain that doesn’t resolve
- Sharp or throbbing pain when you consume hot or cold foods or beverages
- Pressure and pain in one area of your mouth
- Redness, swelling or drainage near the root of your tooth
If you are experiencing dental pain or think you might need a root canal, it’s time to visit the experts in Norfolk. A thorough dental examination, x-rays and temperature and vitality testing will indicate if you can benefit from root canal treatment.
There are many reasons you may need a root canal, and only your dentist can know for sure if root canal therapy can help you. To find out more about root canal treatment and how we can help you maintain your oral health, call Drs. Minda and Shabtai Sapir at Norfolk Family & Pediatric Dentistry in Norfolk, MA. Get rid of your dental pain by calling (508) 850-6992 today!
