Do you know why root canals are performed? Root canal therapy offered by your Edmond, OK, dentist, Dr. Michael Wallace of Wallace Family Dentistry, may be needed if you experience any of these dental issues.
You have an abscess
An abscess occurs when a bacterial infection affects the soft pulp in the center of your tooth. If you have a dental abscess, you may develop a fever and experience severe, throbbing pain. Other symptoms can include pus on your gum, red gums, swollen lymph nodes, and facial swelling.
Abscesses are dental emergencies and require antibiotic treatment and root canal therapy. If your infection isn't treated promptly, it could spread throughout your body and reach your heart or brain.
You've had several dental procedures on the same tooth
Teeth are more likely to need root canals after multiple dental procedures. If you've needed more than one filling on the tooth or had a filling and another procedure, you might need a root canal in the future.
You cracked your tooth
Cracks provide a convenient pathway for bacteria to enter your tooth, causing an infection or inflammation in your tooth pulp. A cracked tooth can occur after biting into a piece of hard food, object, or from a blow to the face. They can also happen due to falls, grinding, or clenching your teeth while you sleep.
You injured your tooth
An injury to your tooth could damage your pulp. Be sure to schedule an appointment with the Edmond, OK, dental office as soon as possible if your tooth is chipped, cracked, loose, or was knocked out. It may be possible to reimplant knocked-out teeth if you see the dentist soon after your injury.
Why root canal therapy is needed
Without root canal therapy, you'll lose your tooth if it's infected or inflamed. The treatment ends your pain but doesn't affect the function of your tooth. During the procedure, your dentist removes your tooth pulp and cleans the interior of the tooth, including the root canals that extend from the top to the bottom of the tooth. After the tooth is disinfected, your dentist adds a permanent filling to restore the tooth. You may also need a dental crown to strengthen your treated tooth.
Protect your smile with root canal therapy! Call your dentist in Edmond, OK, Dr. Wallace of Wallace Family Dentistry, at (405) 340-0411 to schedule your appointment.