When a tooth becomes infected down to the pulp, the dental patient has the choice of either a root canal procedure or an extraction. Leaving the condition untreated is dangerous, as the infection may spread into the rest of the body. The patient will quickly need to make a decision on how to proceed.
The Truth About Tooth Extraction
It is a common belief that having a tooth extracted is an acceptable alternative to having a root canal done. Extractions are faster, less complicated and do not cost as much as root canal procedures, but there are certain changes that may result from an extraction.
After a tooth has been removed, it leaves a space in the gums. This may cause the teeth around the space to shift into it, affecting the patient’s bite and possibly causing temporomandibular joint disorder. The remaining teeth may also become crooked and more likely to develop problems over the long term. Continue reading →
Dental emergencies can be just as serious as emerging medical problems. You wouldn’t think twice about going to an urgent care center or emergency room if you needed help. You shouldn’t hesitate to get dental assistance either. The truth is ignoring dental problems has serious consequences. Emergency dental services are there to prevent further damage from occurring. You only have one set of teeth. Proper dental hygiene keeps them healthy, but emergencies still happen. Take a look at five things that you may face if you choose not to get emergency dental care.
Tooth Nerve Damage
Pain in a tooth is actually a good thing. It is the initial pain that tells you to go to the dentist in the first place. When a nerve becomes damaged that natural security system breaks down. This can leave the pulp of the tooth open to infection or decay. Without proper treatment, the tooth loses sensitivity, so when there is a serious issue you won’t know it. This can lead to tooth loss or critical medical problems such as infection in the bone or blood stream. Continue reading →
The term “Root Canal” has become almost synonymous with painful dental procedures in popular culture, but that attitude has done more harm than good. A root canal isn’t the frightening procedure that popular culture has made it out to be. In fact, there are a number of persistent myths about root canals that this article will do away with.
First Myth: Root Canals are Incredibly Painful
This is possibly the biggest myth about root canals. First, look at what makes you need a root canal in the first place. When your tooth has a cavity, a dentist can drill out the deteriorating tooth and replace it with a filler material. When a cavity is bad enough, it begins to affect the pulp of the tooth instead of just the harder outer shell. This causes an infection, which in turn causes pain. Therefore, a root canal is called for to remove the deteriorated tooth material, but the tooth is already in pain. Continue reading →
When you have a toothache, nothing else matters. The pain of a toothache, especially an abscess tooth, can be excruciating. With an abscess, your pain may radiate into your ear, jaw and give you a headache. Unless you are able to contact an emergency dentist, you may need to find relief on your own. You can try a few things at home to relieve your pain until you can visit an emergency dentist in Sacramento.
Stay Sitting Upright
Sitting upright will help because when you lay your head down the pressure builds up in your face, head and jaw. This causes added pain. Sitting up will not take the pain away completely, but will lessen it substantially. Continue reading →
In dental emergencies that can potentially affect the health of you and your teeth, you may need to make a decision between a root canal and a tooth extraction. The two procedures require consideration of health, cosmetics and finances. The following paragraphs will help you become more informed about the two treatments and describe the benefits of a root canal instead of extraction.
A root canal or tooth extraction may become necessary interventions when your tooth becomes infected and painful. Deep cavities and cracked teeth can lead to infection in the area of the tooth containing blood vessels and nerves. This painful situation, if not promptly treated, can lead to further and more widespread complications in the tooth and mouth.
Most Sacramento dentists prefer root canals for a variety of reasons. As the name implies, extraction involves complete removal of the infected tooth, requiring an invasive procedure and a cosmetic and functional replacement. Continue reading →
A root canal is a dental procedure that is used on an infected tooth. In this treatment, nerve tissue and blood vessels are removed from the physical hollows within the tooth. Although the root canal essentially makes the tooth “dead,” a tooth may not heal properly, requiring additional treatment.
In these cases, your root canal may need a retreatment. If you are experiencing a great deal of pain with your tooth, you will need to find an emergency dentist to provide treatment. Retreatment is necessary on some root canals for a variety of reason. Your tooth may not have healed after the initial treatment as expected because of a curved root canal under your tooth. Following a root canal, dentists place a crown on your tooth to protect it from decay. In some cases, the crown may not have been put on right away and the root canals were reinfected. Your dentist that did your initial root canal treatment may also not have used enough filling in the tooth, allowing recontamination. Continue reading →
