Root Canal Treatment
Root canal therapy is a procedure that removes diseased tissues inside your tooth that are causing an infection and pain. These days, modern dentistry has made root canal treatment more comfortable and efficient than ever.
When Do I Need a Root Canal?
A tooth infection occurs when plaque and bacteria enter your tooth, affecting its pulp and nerve. An abscessed or infected tooth can cause significant pain, impacting your quality of life and keeping you from normal daily activities and even sleep.
Some of the signs and symptoms you may notice when you have a tooth infection are:
- Tooth darkening or discoloration
- Pain or tenderness when biting or chewing
- Tooth sensitivity to temperature
- Facial swelling
- A bump or pimple on the gum tissue around the compromised tooth
It’s essential to seek treatment for a tooth infection as soon as possible because it will not resolve independently. Being proactive about getting treatment right away could mean the difference between losing and saving your tooth.
What Happens During Root Canal Treatment?
During your root canal procedure, Dr. Pascal will first ensure that you’re completely numb, which means you won’t feel anything during your procedure, and also immediately alleviates your pain.
Next, he’ll carefully remove the impacted tissues inside your tooth and ensure it’s infection-free before sealing it with a temporary filling. Then we’ll give your tooth time to heal.
After your tooth is healed and you’re feeling better, you’ll return to TPC Dental Care to have Dr. Pascal rebuild your tooth with a porcelain crown. This strengthens your tooth and ensures you have all the chewing functions you did before your tooth infection so you can eat comfortably.
Root canal treatment eliminates a tooth infection, preserves your natural tooth, and alleviates the pain keeping you from everyday activities.
You Can Avoid Root Canal Treatment
While it’s true that trauma or a fractured tooth could cause your need for root canal treatment, there are also a few tooth infections that you can avoid.
When you visit your San Antonio dentist every six months for your routine preventive teeth cleaning and checkup, we screen you for problems like tooth decay and gum disease that could contribute to causing a painful tooth infection.
During a teeth cleaning, our hygienist removes the excess plaque buildup from your teeth that could cause tooth infection.
Being consistent about visiting your dentist for your bi-annual teeth cleanings and checkups is one of the best ways to protect your smile and your dental health.
Contact TPC Dental Care
Don’t hesitate to call us at (210) 497-4847 if you or a loved one is experiencing dental pain or have questions about root canal treatment in San Antonio or if it's time to schedule your next dental checkup.
