Root Canals

Learn More About Root Canals:

If you have been dealing with a toothache that will not disappear, it’s possible that you may need a root canal. Root canals are an effective way of saving teeth without the need for extraction. Our dentists at South Hill Comprehensive Dentistry can help relieve toothache pain with root canal treatments, removing any harmful infected tissues inside the tooth and saving the integrity of your smile.

When Is A Root Canal Necessary?

Root canal procedures are performed when the inside of the tooth, containing the pulp and root channels, becomes inflamed from bacteria, causing swelling, infection, and even necrosis. These pockets of pus can erode away at the tooth tissue and spread the infection to other areas of your mouth, including your jawbone. It’s important to know the signs of needing a root canal because living with the infection long-term can prevent the tooth from being saved.  Eliminating the infection can also help save your jawbone and adjacent teeth from complications.

Always make sure to visit your dentist if you’re experiencing dental pain. Even minor signs of a toothache can develop drastically into an abscess and harm your teeth. However, it’s also essential to know what signs to look for that indicate an infection to best protect your teeth from infection and decay. If you’re wondering whether or not you should see a dentist. These signs suggest that you may have a currently active infection:

  • Pain within or around the tooth, feeling sharp or as a dull ache.
     
  • Prolonged sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures from drinks and food
     
  • Swelling lymph nodes along the sides of your jaw
     
  • Discomfort along one side of the mouth while chewing and speaking
     
  • Pimples appearing along the inside of your gums near the affected toothache
     
  • Fever and chills from prolonged pain

During your root canal procedure, your dentist will use anesthesia around the tooth and topical gel to numb the affected area. Once the anesthesia settles in, our team will use small drills to remove a portion of the top part of the tooth and then remove the infected pulp with files. After removing the pulp, the root channels of your teeth will be cleaned and irrigated with a disinfecting solution and medicines to prevent the development of bacteria from developing inside the tooth. Once irrigated, the tooth is sealed with a temporary filling, which will then be replaced with a crown.

Call Us If You Have a Toothache!

If you’ve heard from others that root canals are painful, then know that when performed correctly under anesthesia, root canal procedures relieve pain. Root canals are a specialty of our office. Our team is filled with highly experienced dentists ready to care for your teeth. If you have any signs of toothache, our dentists at South Hill Comprehensive Dentistry can provide easy, safe, and professional dental care that will meet your needs at an affordable price. For more details about our root canal procedures and how we can help you, arrange an appointment with us today!

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