Find out if that toothache could mean that a root canal is in your near future.

Nothing is better than having a healthy, happy smile. Of course, there are issues that can arise along the way that will require immediate attention from our East Lansing, MI, dentist Dr. Thomas Faiver. While we know you don’t want to come into the office if you don’t have to, it’s a good idea to call us if you are experiencing any of these symptoms:

• A toothache
• Sudden tooth sensitivity
• Tooth darkening
• Swollen or tender gums around the affected tooth
• A bump or growth on the gums around the tooth

These are some classic signs that you may need a root canal. A toothache alone is a dental emergency that requires immediate attention.

What is a root canal?

This procedure gets a bad rep, but it truly is no more invasive than getting a dental filling. Sometimes decay, an infection or a traumatic injury causes enough damage or goes untreated long enough to affect an internal structure within the tooth known as the dental pulp. The dental pulp is a soft structure made up of connective tissue, blood vessels and nerves. Since the pulp is the only part of the tooth that contains nerves, it makes sense that when the pulp is infected or inflamed that your tooth starts to hurt.

The purpose of a root canal is to remove the source of the pain. Once a tooth has fully matured the dental pulp is no longer necessary for the health and function of a permanent tooth. This means that our East Lansing, MI, restorative dentist can remove the pulp without affecting the overall integrity of the tooth. This procedure is performed under local anesthesia, so the area will be completely numb before we go inside the tooth. The inside of the tooth is also thoroughly disinfected and then sealed up to prevent bacteria from entering the tooth again.

After the root canal is finished, we will take impressions of the tooth and then prep the tooth for a dental crown. A crown will restore function while improving the overall appearance of the tooth. While the permanent crown is being made we will place a temporary crown over the treated tooth.

Do you have questions about getting a root canal? Are you dealing with dental pain or another dental emergency that requires immediate care? Then don’t hesitate to call our East Lansing, MI, dental office right away.