If you have a painful tooth that has been infected, your dentist in Sarasota may recommend a root canal. This procedure is one of the best ways to save a damaged or infected tooth and protect your mouth’s health for years to come.
The pain associated with a tooth that needs a root canal is often severe and chronic. In addition, many people experience sensitivity to hot or cold foods and liquids, as well as swelling around the affected tooth.
Your dentist will be able to tell if you need a root canal by taking X-rays of your tooth and performing a pulp vitality test. The test involves placing a cold stimulus on your tooth and watching for a response from the tooth’s pulp.
There are several reasons why a patient might need a Sarasota root canal. Infection can lead to pain, pulp death, and bone loss if left untreated.
Infections in the roots can also damage adjacent teeth, which can make it more difficult to chew and cause a person’s bite to shift. In addition, a root canal can relieve recurring pain and prevent an abscess from developing.
The Symptoms of Needing a Sarasota Root Canal
The most common symptom that you need a root canal is major tooth pain in the central part of your mouth, or a particular tooth. This pain can occur due to infection in the root of your tooth or a crack in the surface of your tooth that allows bacteria into the pulp tissue within the root of your tooth.
Other signs that a root canal is needed include pain upon chewing or application of pressure, prolonged sensitivity or pain in response to hot and cold temperatures, a dark discoloration of your tooth, and swelling and tenderness in the nearby gums.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your dentist immediately so that the problem can be addressed before it gets worse.
A dentist will use a local anesthetic to numb the area where the treatment will take place. Once the anesthetic has worn off, your doctor will remove the infected or decayed pulp, clean out the inside of your tooth’s canals and fill them with special materials called gutta percha.
You can have the treatment performed in a single visit if all of the canals are accessible. However, if there is severe infection or more than one canal needs to be treated, two visits might be necessary.
During a Sarasota Root Canal, the tooth’s canals are cleaned and filled with special material. Afterward, the dentist seals the canals to keep out bacteria and germs that could re-infect your tooth.
Your Sarasota Root Canal Specialist will explain how the treatment will take place and how long it will take to complete. You will then be given medications to help you with any discomfort that you might have as a result of the procedure.
It is important to follow your instructions after the root canal is completed, especially if you are having sedation. These instructions are designed to help you recover from the root canal procedure as quickly and safely as possible.