Root Canals

What is a root canal?

Root canals have a bad reputation for being painful and unpleasant. A root canal is a tooth-saving procedure for a tooth infected to the pulp. The pulp is the inner part of a tooth that contains blood vessels and nerve endings. While the pulp is important to the tooth’s development, it’s not critical to a mature tooth’s integrity. 

The pulp gets infected when bacteria enter through a crack or split in the tooth’s enamel. Without treatment, the infection leads to tooth decay and tooth loss. 

During a root canal, your provider makes a tiny hole in the affected tooth. They clean out the infected pulp and replace it with a biocompatible material. The tooth is sealed up and capped with a dental crown to protect it long-term. 

When would I need a root canal?

Noticeable tooth pain is often the sign of an infection deep in the pulp. You may not feel pain in the stages of infection, but the disease can be detected on a routine dental X-ray. 

If you experience sudden tooth pain, it’s a possible indication that you need an emergency root canal to save your tooth. 

Other symptoms that suggest you need a root canal are: 

• Sensitivity to hot and cold beverages or foods
• Abscess or pus drainage
• Tooth discoloration
• Swelling in the cheek or gum
• Soreness when chewing or clenching

At the first signs of these symptoms, contact Fortune Dental. The sooner you get treatment, the better. You can avoid unnecessary pain and are more likely to save the tooth. 

Is it painful to get a root canal?

Most of the pain associated with a root canal is due to the initial infection. The root canal itself is performed while you’re under a local anesthetic. You won’t feel anything but a bit of pressure during the actual procedure. 

Once the anesthetic wears off, you may feel some soreness and sensitivity in the treated area of your mouth. These side effects subside over the next week or so, but if the pain worsens or you notice pus drainage or swelling, contact Fortune Dental immediately. 

If you need a root canal, contact Fortune Dental today. Call the office or use this website to book an appointment online