Nervous About Your Root Canal? What to Know

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A root canal is a procedure that few people really look forward to, but it’s very important to get a root canal when one is needed. Root canals can help save your tooth and stop infection from spreading throughout your body.

Working with a dentist in Grand Junction, CO, during your root canal procedure is important. At Western Slope Dental Center, we’re happy to answer your questions about your root canal to help you understand why this procedure is important.

What’s a root canal?

A root canal is a dental procedure wherein your dentist drills into your tooth enamel to remove the infection deep inside the tooth. During the root canal, the dentist will remove the infected pulp, seal the tooth, and then place a crown on top to protect the remaining enamel.

Why do I need a root canal?

Your dentist will perform the root canal to eliminate bacteria and infection deep inside your tooth. This is an important part of maintaining healthy teeth and gums. You may also be in pain due to an infection inside your tooth. Getting the root canal procedure will help eliminate this pain.

What happens if I put off my root canal?

If you don’t get a root canal when one is needed, that infection can spread and become far worse. The infection could even move to other parts of your body. Your dentist may also need to extract your tooth later.

Does a root canal hurt?

Your dentist will numb the area, so you shouldn’t feel too much discomfort during the procedure.

Need a Root Canal? Call Western Slope Dental Center

Western Slope Dental Center professionals perform safe, effective root canal therapy in Grand Junction, CO. If you have a painful tooth, you may need a root canal. Call today.

What Are The Signs You May Need a Root Canal Procedure?  

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Root canal treatment is a delicate procedure that needs to be left to the professionals at Western Slope Dental in Grand Junction, CO. An infected root canal is often a tell-tale sign that there are worsening conditions throughout your mouth that may have gone undiagnosed. During your procedure, the team will make sure that your comfort is a priority, and help to identify and fix the root of the problem.

What is a Root Canal?

This is often a misnomer. A root canal is simply the area found within the “pulp” of your tooth, which is the innermost layer. Root canal treatment is extremely vital to stop the spread of bacteria within your mouth. If left untreated, a root canal can lead to severe gum diseases, which causes both dangerous and costly health issues.

Signs You May Need Root Canal Treatment

Here are three common signs or symptoms that you may need a root canal treatment:

 

Severe Pain While Chewing

An obvious and tell-tale sign that you may need any kind of treatment is pain. A root canal infection is often accompanied by sharp pain when biting or chewing in that particular location. While this may not necessarily mean that it is the source of the issue, your dental expert will be able to properly identify the problem and suggest the best course of action.

Pimples Around Your Gums

A root canal infection also leads to a gum infection. If you feel there are bumps, spots, or pimples around your gums – this is a strong sign you need treatment.

Extreme Sensitivity

Exposing the area to hot and cold, however mild (such as breathing in) can cause extreme sensitivity, persisting after the sensation is removed. This is a strong sign you need root canal treatment.

Your Local Grand Junction, CO Dentist

If you are experiencing symptoms, however mild, it is time to make an appointment with your local Grand Junction, CO dental experts. The team at Western Slope Dental has extensive experience in this field, and can easily identify and resolve your unique situation.

 

A Root Canal is Simpler than You Think  

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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.