Root Canal Treatments
What Is a Root Canal?
Root canals are a relatively simple procedure that can save your tooth and your smile. They are also incredibly common. In fact, millions of Americans receive root canal treatments every year to save infected teeth.
A root canal can refer to both the inner part of the tooth between the pulp and tooth roots, as well as the dental procedure used to remove infected tooth material. In adult teeth, the purpose of tooth nerves is to sense heat, cold, and other stimuli, however, decay or infection in the tooth pulp can cause intense pain and a possible root canal procedure.
What causes a root canal?
Six Signs You May Need a Root Canal Treatment
During your exam, your Minnesota dentist will look for signs to indicate whether or not you need a root canal. These signs include:
- 1) Tooth pain.
The pain can range from sharp and intense to a dull, constant ache. In some cases, it may even be severe enough to wake you from sleep. However, it’s important to keep in mind that not all pain is a sign a root canal is needed.
- 2) Gum tenderness, swelling, and infection.
The swelling in your gums can range from being slight and reddish in color to a more pronounced region that has noticeable fullness. In extreme cases, the swelling may even extend to your face or neck.
- 3) Malaise.
This is a feeling of illness or uneasiness, fever, and/or tender lymph nodes. These symptoms are considered secondary, meaning they may be present, but are not directly indicative of a needed root canal. If you are experiencing tooth and gum pain in addition to malaise, then this will be weighed more heavily by your dentist when making a diagnosis.
- 4) Radiolucencies on x-rays.
If you have experienced pain or swelling around a tooth, your dentist will perform an x-ray examination to unearth the cause of the pain. The dentist will look for dark spots (radiolucencies) that are found around the tip of the failed tooth’s root.
- 5) Individually darkened teeth.
Extreme discoloration of a tooth can mean that pathological changes have taken place within its nerves. This type of occurrence is fairly common with teeth that have experienced trauma and can be associated with symptoms of pain and swelling.
- 6) Exposure of the tooth’s nerve.
This means that during dental work, the dentist’s tool has made contact with the tooth’s pulp tissue. Tissue exposure as a result of tooth decay means the tooth is in immediate need for root canal treatment.
Root Canals: What You Can Expect
The root canal treatment is a multi-step procedure that may require one to three office visits.
A root canal treatment begins by cleaning out the damaged and infected areas of the tooth through an access hole.
Once the infected areas of the tooth are removed (including the pulp and sometimes the nerves), it is sealed with a temporary filling to protect it against future damage and tooth pain.
Your follow-up appointment with your dentist will include the application of a permanent dental crown to ensure its structural integrity.
Been going here since I was little and have always had an amazing experience! Everyone there is beyond friendly and like family to me! They do an amazing job cleaning and helping me take care of my teeth. I don’t plan on going anywhere else!
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Choose Mint Dental for Your Root Canal Needs
A common misconception about receiving a root canal treatment is that the patient will feel extensive amounts of discomfort. Dr. Marwa Forest and Dr. Matt Borowicz will ensure you feel comfortable and at ease during your root canal procedure by using sedation dentistry.
At both of our locations in Shakopee and Edina, MN, we regularly perform root canal endodontic treatments to remove infections and save our patients’ teeth. We are the experts at successfully completing these procedures where our patients can experience utmost comfort.