Is a Root Canal a Dental Emergency?

Root canals are one of the most common dental procedures that people are afraid of.

The reason is simple: root canals are necessary to treat infected teeth. But, by the time you get to the point where you need a root canal, you can most likely expect high levels of pain and discomfort. At this stage, it’s likely to not be able to manage your symptoms with out-home remedies and over-the-counter medication. For this reason, root canals are considered emergency dentistry treatments.

Why You Shouldn’t Postpone Treating an Infected Tooth

Teeth infections occur because of an untreated cavity. As time goes on, the bacteria makes its way inside the tooth, creating a bigger and bigger hole. Eventually, the decayed tissue can even make its way all the way down the tooth pulp until it reaches the nerve and roots of the tooth.

This is when the tooth becomes infected, and will present with various symptoms such as:

• High levels of pain (constant or throbbing?
• Abscess formation just above or below the tooth
• Swelling
• Looseness
• In some cases, even a fever

Tooth infections need to be treated right away. The more you wait, the higher the risk of permanent tooth loss, or even an impact on your overall health if the infection spreads to sepsis.

How Does a Root Canal Work?

A root canal procedure generally involves cleaning the inside of the tooth to remove all the infected tissue. Once this is done, the tooth is left with a hole, and the dentist adds dental filling to restore the full function and look of your tooth.

If the infection is severe, the dentist may need to remove a lot of the tooth’s pulp to fully treat it. In these cases, patients will often need a dental crown to go on top of the natural tooth in order to restore its strength.

Is a Root Canal Done in Just One Procedure?

In some cases, yes, but it generally depends on your specific condition. For instance, badly infected teeth may need to be treated with antibiotics first, before the dentist can continue the root canal procedure.

If you go in for an emergency visit, the dentist will begin the procedure, apply the antibiotic, and then schedule you for subsequent visits to complete it. This also applies if you need a dental crown, as the dentist needs to take an impression of your mouth and send it to the lab, which can take a week or more.

Dealing with a Tooth Infection? Parklane Family Dentistry Can Help

If you think you have a tooth infection and are experiencing pain, swelling, or even a fever, don’t wait. Call Parklane Family Dentistry now at (469) 452-2998 for emergency dental health services.

For regular appointments, book a consultation with Dr. Parul Vashisht.