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 dentists in Ann Arbor, MI will be able to examine the inside of your mouth and take X-rays to discover the source of your pain. If your tooth is infected, they may recommend an emergency root canal.
Do I Need an Emergency Root Canal?
Here are some of the top signs you may need root canal treatment.
Signs You May Need a Root Canal
Never ignore a painful tooth! Your tooth could be trying to tell you that the dental pulp inside it is infected.
You might need a root canal if you experience:
- A tooth darkening in color
- An abscess (or pimple) on the gums
- Prolonged sensitivity to hot and cold
- Pain upon touching your tooth
- Severe toothache
- Gum tissue near the tooth that is swollen and/or tender
Sometimes there are no symptoms to warn you of the infected tooth pulp. For this reason, it’s important to schedule a preventive care appointment with one of our root canal dentists every 6 months.
What Can I Expect During a Root Canal?
The goal of root canal therapy is to save abscessed teeth or decaying teeth so they won’t need to be extracted. This means that one of our dentists will need to remove the decaying tooth nerve, along with the infected tooth pulp. Without root canal treatment, the tooth will die and need to be extracted.
First, the dentist will need to locally anesthetize the tooth so you won’t feel any pain during the root canal. You may feel a slight pinch as the dentist injects the pain reliever. Next, the dentist will use a small drill or another dental tool to create a small hole near the top of the tooth.
Once a sufficient opening has been made, the dentist will work to clear the dental pulp infection from your tooth. For good measure, they may flush the inside of your tooth with water and anti-microbial solution to make sure any remaining pulp and bacteria are removed. After a , a temporary filling or crown will be used to seal the small hole.
A few weeks later, you will return to our dentist’s office to have a 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 dentists as soon as possible. Our dentists will want to take X-rays and examine your teeth so they can properly diagnose the problem.
You should always schedule an appointment with our office 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 Emergency Dental Care
Our emergency dentists in Ann Arbor, MI, are accepting new patients! If you’re in any pain, don’t hesitate to call and request an appointment with Enhance Family Dentistry & Orthodontics at (734) 821-7676. We’ll fit you into our schedule as soon as we can!
This blog post has been updated.
