A Root Canal is Simpler than You Think  

Every tooth contains a root canal system and a pulp chamber to hold connective tissue, nerves, and blood vessels. People can experience significant pain when the tissue becomes infected, and an infected tooth may require extraction if not treated promptly.

A root canal in Grand Junction, CO removes the infection while sustaining the tooth. Although the root canal procedure could be painful in the past, dental technology has reached the point of keeping patients relaxed and comfortable from start to finish.

Symptoms That Could Indicate the Need for a Root Canal

A persistent toothache that doesn’t go away is one of the most obvious signs that infection has reached the pulp of a tooth. Here are some other signs:

• Chipped or cracked tooth
• Extreme sensitivity to foods or drinks served at hot or cold temperatures
• Gums feel swollen or tender
• Significant pain after biting into food
• Pimples appear on the gums

Deep decay in a tooth that does not respond to the typical treatment for cavities is one of the leading causes of tooth pulp infection that leads to a root canal. Facial trauma, repeated dental work on the same tooth, large fillings, and new cracks and chips are additional causes of tooth pulp infection that requires immediate treatment.

What to Expect during Your Root Canal

One of our dental assistants will start the procedure by placing a rubber dam around your teeth to prevent a build-up of saliva. You will also receive local anesthesia before a dentist proceeds any further. The dentist then drills a small hole in the tooth to remove the infected pulp material. Placing a crown on the treated tooth immediately after the root canal helps protect it from similar events in the future.

Please contact Western Slope Dental Center if you have signs of a possible tooth infection.