Root Canals
Are you experiencing a severe toothache? If so, our dentists in Grandville, Michigan, may recommend root canal therapy to relieve your pain and save your tooth. A root canal is a procedure where the dental pulp is removed and replaced with a root filling.
The dental pulp is the innermost layer of a tooth and is commonly referred to as the “nerve” of the tooth. This is the living part of the tooth where the nerves and blood vessels reside.
Why Might I Need a Root Canal?
The two most common indications for root canal therapy are to alleviate tooth pain or to treat an infected tooth. Painful teeth can result when the nerve of a tooth is either infected or inflamed.
Signs you may need a root canal include:
- Throbbing
- Pain to chewing
- Cold or hot sensitivity
- Jaw pain
- Bad taste or odor in the mouth
- Swelling, fever, or other signs of infection
It is important to know that not all affected teeth show symptoms right away. This means that it is possible to have an infected tooth that doesn’t hurt. The reason for this is that once the nerve of a tooth “dies” it is no longer able to send pain signals so previous pain may seem to improve. What then may happen is that the infection progresses which often leads to pain returning at a later date and potential spread of the infection.
A third possible situation where root canal treatment may be needed is to restore a badly broken tooth. In this situation, a root canal might be needed in order to offer support for a tooth restoration.
What are the Benefits of Having a Root Canal?
There are a number of benefits to root canal treatment, including:
- Relief of tooth pain
- Elimination of infection
- Preservation of natural teeth
- Restore the ability to chew on the affected tooth
Does Root Canal Therapy Hurt?
It’s a common misconception that is painful. Due to the improved effectiveness of modern numbing medications, root canal treatment is usually a comfortable and painless procedure. Current technologies in the way the tooth is prepared for the root canals also help in reducing the treatment time needed to complete this procedure.
Are There Any Alternatives to Root Canal Treatment?
In most cases, the only alternative to the root canal procedure is to extract the painful or infected tooth. There are situations however where this may actually be the better option. If the painful tooth is already weakened structurally or if there is active gum disease surrounding the tooth, the more predictable and stable option may be to remove and replace the tooth.
If you are interested in learning more about options to replace missing teeth, ask our Grandville dentists about dental implants, porcelain bridges, or partial dentures. A thorough evaluation and open discussion is crucial in determining the best treatment option, especially considering the irreversible nature of tooth extraction.
It is important to know that not every case of toothache or sensitivity needs a root canal. There are situations such as tooth grinding, a high “bite” on a filling or crown, gum recession, or tooth hypersensitivity that do not require a root canal to improve symptoms. An accurate diagnosis by one of our dentists in Grandville, MI, is crucial to determine the best course of action for each situation.
Call 44 West Dental Professionals
Our , are proud to serve patients throughout Greater Grand Rapids. To schedule an appointment and learn if you need , please call 44 West Dental Professionals at (616) 530-2200. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our team will reach out to you soon.