If you are suffering from tooth pain and wondering if the only treatment to cure it is a root canal, the answer is no. You may experience excruciating pain in your teeth because of many other reasons like cavities, food stuck in your mouth, chipped or cracked teeth, or even enamel erosion. In such cases, we will treat your problem without performing a root canal.
Various other factors come to play to determine whether or not you need a root canal for your aching teeth, such as:
Duration of Your Toothache
During the consultation, Dr. O will ask you how long you have been experiencing the toothache and if the pain has come on suddenly or built up over time. If you have been experiencing it for a long time, we will take an X-ray to thoroughly check the condition of the teeth.
Level of Pain
Dr. O will also ask about the severity of the pain. In many cases, a toothache is the result of a cavity that can be treated without a root canal. However, if the pain is intense, it may be caused by an infection and this will require a root canal.Â
When to Visit our Clinic?
- When your face is swollen
- You are having difficulty swallowing
- You are in pain when biting or chewing
- Your teeth are changing color
How Is a Root Canal Performed?
After checking the condition of your tooth and finding that a root canal is the only option to save it from infection, we will prepare you for the procedure, ensuring your comfort every step of the way.
A root canal removes the infection, the primary cause of the discomfort, and relieves the pain. Dr. O will administer a mild sedative so that you do not feel pain or discomfort during the procedure.
The first step of the procedure is creating a small incision in your tooth to access the site of the infection. Next, Dr. O will remove the infected area and clean the interior of the tooth to prevent further infection. Then, the tooth is sealed and restored using a filling or crown.
After a root canal, you will have to follow a proper aftercare routine including using a straw when drinking, eating only soft foods, and brushing the affected tooth with care. We may also give you painkillers to deal with any discomfort.
Reach out to Alencar Family Dentistry in Chesapeake, VA, to learn more about root canals and schedule a consultation with Dr. O. You can call us at (757) 546-0301, book your consultation online, or visit us at 711 Greenbrier Pkwy Suite 101, Chesapeake, VA 23320.Â
