Tooth pain, pus in your gum line, and facial swelling could indicate severe tooth decay or an infection. At Freeman Dental in Dallas, Texas, Hubert Freeman, DDS, and his experienced staff offer root canals to restore an affected tooth and prevent it from falling out or needing extraction. Call the Freeman Dental office to schedule an appointment or book one online today.
Root canals are restorative dental procedures where your dentist cleans the inside of an infected tooth and restores it to prevent further infection, decay, and tooth damage. The procedure might mean saving a natural permanent tooth versus losing it. It’s important to see the Freeman Dental experts at the first sign of a tooth infection.
If you experience any of the following signs or symptoms, you may need a root canal:
When left untreated, an infected or severely decaying tooth can cause loose permanent teeth or even tooth loss.
Your Freeman Dental provider lets you know if a root canal is the right treatment. They also examine your teeth and gums and use dental X-rays to develop an in-depth view of the inside of your tooth or its pulp.
Your dentist numbs the treatment area to ensure you don’t feel any pain during a root canal procedure. They clean your tooth, make a hole in the top of it, and remove decay and harmful bacteria. They then fill the empty hole with a specialized dental material and seal your tooth closed.
You may need a dental crown or a tooth-like cap that fits over the top of a treated tooth to protect the tooth, strengthen it, and reduce the risk of future problems. After a root canal, you can resume normal activities, but the treated tooth might feel sensitive for a day or two. Ice it or take over-the-counter pain relievers if needed while the treatment area heals.
After receiving a root canal, it’s important to maintain exceptional oral hygiene habits at home. That means brushing your teeth after meals with fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily, and attending dental cleanings and exams at Freeman Dental every six months. Don’t chew on hard objects, as doing so can lead to more tooth damage.
To find out if you need a root canal because of a toothache, call the Freeman Dental office or schedule an appointment online today.