Root Canal Your Aching Tooth's Best Friend
Do you have an aching, misery in your mouth? A constant throbbing? Pain at every bite? You may need a root canal to save your tooth.
Though for years, the root canal has been vilified as an excruciating treatment, root canals are really super-heroes saving teeth wherever they go. Once in a while a root canal may need to be repeated or a patient isn't a good candidate, but overall, my patients are really pleased by the results of their root canals. If nothing else, most people find them preferable to having a tooth pulled!
What Are the Signs that I May Need a Root Canal?
Rarely, someone who truly needs a root canal won't exhibit any symptoms at all but usually you will experience a persistent toothache and pain when chewing; discoloration or darkening of the tooth or even the gum; tenderness, swelling or a pimple on the gum; or sensitivity to temperature changes that doesn't resolve on its own. If you have a toothache of any kind don't to call your dentist. You could be Developing an Abscess.
What is a Dental Abscess?
An abscessed tooth is basically an infected tooth. Tooth abscesses are most commonly a complication of tooth decay but can also be caused by failing metal fillings or trauma. No matter what the cause, the infection starts when there are openings in the tooth enamel through which bacteria can enter. If the damage isn't caught and repaired, the infection can even enter the bones and surrounding tissue. If you have been experiencing tooth pain over time and it suddenly stops, or if you have a toothache and develop a fever or swelling of the glands or jaw area, please call Dr. Winans or your physician immediately.
What Exactly Is a Root Canal?
Almost everyone has seen the traditional diagram of a tooth and its root – the top of the tooth and two roots at the bottom. But that is a simplified image of a tooth. Roots can be long or short, curvy and twisty and there may even be more than two roots. That is why we start every root canal with a thorough exam including x-rays. When we know exactly how your tooth is shaped and where the infection is, we numb the area of treatment. Patients who have high anxiety levels can also request oral sedation. Once you are relaxed, we'll drill through the enamel to reach the pulp of your tooth. This pulp is gently scrubbed along with the damaged nerves and any debris is removed. After this cleaning, we disinfect and medicate the tooth and it, first with a rubber sealant and then with a custom made crown.
How Will Feel After My Root Canal?
Most patients feel nothing much but relief. Sometimes you will experience tenderness that can easily be resolved with over-the-counter painkillers.
For more information about the super things a root canal can do to save your tooth, call Dr. Larry Winans at 570-524-4454 or visit www.drwinans.com.
Questions and Answers
When you are trying to decide on which dentist that you should go to in order to have a dental procedure performed, you can easily become overwhelmed by all of the choices that you will have. Chances are extremely high that there are large amounts of dentists that are practicing in your area.
The list of excuses for not brushing or flossing is endless, but according to a new study published in the Journal of Periodontology, these are two tasks that should not be omitted from the daily hygiene routine.
Researchers recently demonstrated an association between gum disease and the increased risk of stroke due to potential blockages of the main blood vessels leading to the brain (carotid artery). These blockages, or atheromas, contain calcium and can be detected on dental panoramic radiographs.
The implant technology is one of the greatest advances in the field of Prosthodontics, fundamentally changed the traditional concept of oral rehabilitation and restoration. The implant is currently closest to a kind of natural teeth repair missing teeth.
Loose teeth caused by periodontitis. Even if these teeth do not pull a long time will be out. However, because the long-term chronic inflammation there are a large number of inflammatory granulation tissue around the teeth. These inflammatory granulation tissue is not followed by tooth loss, is not conducive to wound healing.
Everywhere you look, something is blooming. With Zoom2, the next generation of smile whitening from Dr. Larry Winans, your smile could be blooming too! Zoom2 offers superior whitening with increased luster and brightness and a lot less sensitivity than other whitening brands.
When you had your implants, you thought they would last forever. But life can take its toll on any mouth and even excellent restorations can become worn or damaged. Anything from drinking acidic drinks or sodas to grinding or clenching your teeth when you sleep can cause deterioration.
I have a patient from Williamsport, PA who clenches her teeth. Because of it she has developed all the classic TMJ symptoms – chronic headaches, neck and shoulder pain, tingly parts of her face, popping and cracking (it sounds like a gun shot sometimes when she yawns) and she often has trouble sleeping because of the pain in her jaw. There have been times in my chair when her mouth has simply locked open.
While I'm sure that you have heard something in the news about how the health of your gums might affect your body, you might not realize just how serious it is. Let me tell, you. It is nothing to mince words about : If your gums are sick your whole body is very likely going to be sick too.
Discuss this Article
