Are you experiencing a dental emergency? While not all pain means you need a root canal, it’s better that you call us sooner rather than later. That way, our emergency dentist in Kalamazoo, MI, will be able to examine the inside of your mouth and take X-rays to discover the source of your pain.
In the meantime, here’s what you need to know about getting an emergency root canal.
Signs You May Need a Root Canal
Sometimes there are no symptoms to warn you of infected tooth pulp. For this reason, it’s important to schedule a preventive care appointment with our Kalamazoo dentist every six months.
Below are some of the top signs you may need root canal therapy.
Severe Tooth Pain
If you’re experiencing persistent, throbbing pain that doesn’t go away, it might be a sign that the pulp inside your tooth is infected. This pain can be spontaneous or triggered by touch, chewing, or temperature changes.
Prolonged Sensitivity
Sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers long after the stimulus is removed is another indicator. Normal sensitivity lasts for a few seconds, but if it persists, it could signal pulp damage.
Swelling and Tenderness
Swelling around the affected tooth or in the surrounding gum tissue can indicate an infection. This swelling might be accompanied by tenderness when touching or pressing on the area.
Discoloration of the Tooth
A tooth that has become darker than the surrounding teeth might indicate internal damage or infection, especially if it’s not due to staining from food or drink.
Gum Boils or Abscesses
Pus-filled bumps on the gums are a clear sign of infection. These abscesses can cause significant discomfort and must be addressed immediately to prevent the infection from spreading.
Foul Taste or Odor
A persistent bad taste in your mouth or bad breath that doesn’t go away with brushing and flossing could be a sign of an infection leaking from the tooth.
What Can I Expect During a Root Canal?
The goal of is to save abscessed teeth or decaying teeth so they won’t need to be extracted. This means that our dentist will need to remove the decaying tooth nerve, along with the infected tooth pulp. Without root canal therapy, the tooth will die and need to be extracted.
First, our dentist will need to locally anesthetize the tooth so you won’t feel any pain during the root canal procedure. You may feel a slight poke as our dentist injects the pain reliever. Next, our dentist will use a small drill or other dental tool to create a small hole near the top of the tooth.
Once a sufficient opening has been made, our dentist will work to clear the dental pulp infection from your tooth. For good measure, our dentist may flush the inside of your tooth with water and anti-microbial solution to make sure any remaining pulp and bacteria is removed. After a root canal, a temporary filling or crown will be used to seal the small hole.
A few weeks later, you will return to our office to have a permanent dental crown fitted over your tooth so it looks and feels natural. The entire typically takes two trips to our office.
What Do I Do If My Tooth Hurts?
If your tooth is starting to hurt, it’s important to call our emergency dentist in Kalamazoo, MI, as soon as possible. Dr. Bandos will want to take X-rays and examine your teeth so she can properly diagnose the problem.
You should always schedule an appointment with our dentist at the first sign of dental discomfort. Be sure to describe your symptoms to the person answering your call so they can determine whether emergency dental care is appropriate for your situation.
Schedule an Appointment with Dr. Bandos
Dr. Katherine Bandos is an experienced dentist in Kalamazoo, MI, who’s accepting new patients. To schedule an emergency appointment, please call Kalamazoo Smiles at (269) 353-3700. We’ll fit you into our schedule as soon as we can!
This blog post has been updated.
