Find out if your toothache could be a sign that you need a root canal.
Have you suddenly woken up in the middle of the night with a nagging pain in your tooth? are you worried about getting it checked out? We get it! Dental pain and other issues can certainly be scary, but what’s going to make it worse is not getting the problem assessed by a dental professional. Fortunately, through a simple evaluation, your dentists, Dr. Jessica Robinson and Dr. Michael Nebrig, can quickly determine what’s causing your pain and if you might need a root canal in Daphne, and Robertsdale, AL.
Why are root canals performed?
To understand how a root canal works, it’s probably best to understand the anatomy of a tooth first. Underneath the hard dentin and enamel layers of a tooth is the dental chamber. Within the chamber is pulp, a soft-tissue structure that’s made up of connective tissue, blood vessels, and nerves.
While the pulp was important for the development of the tooth, it’s no longer an important structure once the tooth has fully matured. Unfortunately, a blow to the tooth or bacteria entering the chamber can cause irritation and inflammation of the pulp. When the pulp’s inflamed, then the tooth starts to hurt. A root canal removes the inflamed pulp to stop the tooth from hurting.
What goes into getting a root canal in Daphne, and Robertsdale, AL?
We know that root canals don’t have the best reputation. There is a lot of misinformation out there regarding dental procedures, particularly this endodontic treatment. We take great pride in providing gentle, dental care. The area is always fully numbed before we even get started. If you’re particularly nervous, feel free to talk to us about your sedation options.
Once the area is numb, we will go inside the tooth to remove the pulp and clean out the chamber to disinfect the bacteria present. From there, we will use a special cement-like material to fill the root canals and the inside of the tooth to prevent another infection. Once the tooth has been filled we will then fit the tooth with a temporary crown until a permanent crown is fabricated and placed. It usually takes a couple of weeks to get a permanent crown.
A root canal is no more invasive than getting a dental filling and can take up to 2 hours. This procedure can also prevent the need for tooth extraction and it will immediately eliminate that toothache, so it’s really a win-win.
If you have questions or concerns about your upcoming root canal in Daphne, and Robertsdale, AL, or if you’re dealing with an aching tooth, it’s time to turn to Dr. Robinson and Dr. Nebrig at Southern Dentistry for immediate care. Call us at 251-621-1370 or 251-621-1301.