When Root Canal Therapy May be Recommended

It is important to see your general dentistry office twice a year for regular cleanings and checkups and to make sure you do not need any procedures like a root canal. The cleanings will not only remove plaque that is building up on your teeth which reduces tooth decay, but this will also help prevent gum disease. Sometimes your general dentist might need to fill a tooth, and these are all great preventative measures that will save you trouble down the road.

There are also times when your general dentistry office needs to do procedure. Maybe you have a broken tooth that needs a veneer or a crown, or perhaps you need something bonded. While these procedures are more involved, they will all help you feel better about your smile and help your teeth last longer, but what about a tooth that becomes infected?

When a dentist finds an infected tooth, this is one of the times he or she will recommend this type of procedure, and there are other times for this recommendation as well. 

A tooth infection

When a tooth becomes infected, it means that bacteria have made it inside the tooth's interior space, known as the pulp cavity. The pulp that lives inside this cavity is made of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. This is not only very painful, but it poses a serious threat to your overall health.

When an infection gets into the pulp of a tooth, it spreads out into the jaw and the gums. This could cause deterioration of your jaw which can weaken the foundation that the other teeth sit on and alter the appearance of your face. This infection could also spread into your facial tissue, ears, and neck.

If the infection gets into your bloodstream, it could spread to your heart and cause damage there. If the infection crosses the blood-brain barrier, it could colonize your brain and form an abscess. Your brain would respond by swelling, and this would put pressure against your skull, causing damage throughout your brain.  

Chipped, broken, or deep cavity teeth

When your dentist finds that the enamel of your teeth has been broken through by either a chip, a break, or a deep cavity, they will likely recommend this type of therapy. This is because the dentist knows that the enamel of the tooth creates such a tight seal that bacteria is not able to penetrate it and enter the pulp of the tooth. When this seal has been broken, it cannot be replaced, and now the only way to keep the tooth and protect you from infection is a root canal

Swollen gums and pain

Swollen gums are usually a sign of gum disease, which can be treated one way, but swollen gums with tooth pain are usually a sign that a root canal is needed. This is because the gums are swollen because of infection, and the pain in the tooth is an indication that the infection is coming from inside a tooth. Listening to your dentist's advice can save you a lot of trouble, and potential expense down the road, so play it safe, and you will be much better off.

Request an appointment here: https://rsndental.com or call RSN Dental PC at (347) 344-5806 for an appointment in our Staten Island office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Root Canal Treatment in Staten Island, NY.

Recent Posts

Aftercare Tips For Root Canal Therapy

Patients typically do not feel much discomfort during root canal therapy, but there is likely to be discomfort during the recovery process. It is helpful to become familiar with the likely symptoms following root canal therapy and plan in advance on how to make a full recovery in the shortest amount of time possible.There are…

Step-by-step Guide To A Root Canal Procedure

For many dental patients, getting a root canal can be scary. If you have long associated this procedure with pain and discomfort, it is time to understand how this process works. While there may be some soreness following the treatment, a root canal is not as rigorous as you may think. It can preserve teeth…

What Is A Root Canal And Why Would I Need One?

If you have dealt with issues with a tooth, you may begin to explore solutions, including a Root Canal. Also known as endodontic therapy, a root canal procedure is conducted when infection sets into the nerve or pulp of the tooth and causes inflammation. According to the American Dental Association, the infection could be a…

6 Situations When A Root Canal May Be Recommended

It is hard to know whether you need a Root Canal procedure on your own, especially in the early stages of the problem. You may not notice any physical symptoms until the problem reaches its advanced stage, which is the reason regular dental checkups are important. However, if you do not visit a dentist to…

Dr. Vlad Shikhmanter

Share
Published by
Dr. Vlad Shikhmanter

Recent Posts

Orthodontic Therapy to Make Oral Hygiene Easier and Effective

Orthodontic therapy can significantly improve how the teeth are positioned.

2 weeks ago

Choosing an Experienced Cosmetic Dentist for Cosmetic Orthodontic Treatment

It is important to choose a cosmetic dentist that you trust, especially when it comes…

2 months ago

How Dental Crowns Can Restore a Tooth’s Function and Appearance

Dental crowns, or tooth caps, are a common dental restoration for fixing broken, cracked, or…

3 months ago

What to Expect During a Dental Cleaning

A regular dental cleaning is vital for maintaining optimal oral health. While many people understand…

4 months ago

Healing Time Length After a Tooth Extraction

Extractions are typically recommended when other options are not enough to solve a patient’s problems.

5 months ago

Oral Hygiene Information During Invisalign Therapy from a General Dentist

Because Invisalign® is removable, wearers are encouraged to keep the actual piece in for 22…

6 months ago