One of the most frequently asked questions we get when patients come into our office with an awful toothache is, “Do I need a root canal?”
Besides being painful, toothaches can be terribly inconvenient. They make it difficult to eat, speak, and sometimes think. We realize that most people can deal with a common toothache until the pain reaches a threshold and is suddenly unbearable.
We strongly recommend that you come in for a dental checkup at the first sign of pain instead of waiting until severe discomfort that disrupts your everyday life. We will assess your situation with the latest technology and prescribe a treatment that relieves your pain and gets you back to your life as quickly as possible. To schedule an appointment with our family dental office call (909) 860-7579.
Clinically Assessing Your Pain
What are other reasons for a toothache?
- Food is stuck in between your teeth or in between the ridges on the chewing surfaces of your teeth.
- You could have a cavity.
- Your tooth could have been chipped or cracked.
- You may be suffering from enamel erosion.
In these scenarios, we can treat the problem without needing to perform a root canal. For example, we can clean your teeth and remove any food particles causing discomfort. If you have a cavity, we can remove the decay and place a filling in our family dentist office. This is done quickly and is far less invasive than a root canal. Simultaneously, if your tooth is chipped or cracked, we can restore it using dental bonding or dental veneers. If you are dealing with erosion, you may need dental crowns to protect your teeth. As a cosmetic dentist, we restore teeth on a daily basis and have several ways of doing so.
What is your level of pain & for how long?
At Diamond Dental Care we regularly ask patients about their pain and whether or not it is manageable. If it is only slight discomfort, you may be able to visit our Diamond Bar dentist practice and have tooth decay removed. In many cases, a toothache is caused by a cavity that can be treated without the need for a root canal. However, we have found that intense pain is often due to an infection severe enough to warrant a root canal.
We also need to know how long you have been dealing with this issue and whether the pain came on suddenly or if it has built up over time. This will help us in determining what the source of the discomfort is and what our treatment plan should be.
What is the process for a root canal?
Our doctors can complete a root canal in a way that is as comfortable as possible. This is the first thing you should know – a root canal does not have to hurt. In fact, by using sedation, we can help you feel calm and relaxed to the point that most of our patients say they feel much better after the treatment than they did before it was completed. This is because the root canal removes the infection, which is the cause of the initial discomfort. When looking for a “dentist near me” to perform a root canal, be sure to visit one who offers sedation.
The following are the steps for a root canal:
- Clean the tooth.
- Numb the area.
- Create a small hole in the tooth.
- Remove the infected portion.
- Clean the interior of the tooth.
- Seal it with a rubbery substance.
- Restore the tooth using a filling or crown.
When should I call us for an Emergency Dental Exam?
If you have any of these symptoms, you should call our emergency dentist office at 909-860-7579 and schedule an appointment to be seen right away.:
- Your face is swollen. In this scenario, you could have a severe infection and require an immediate root canal. As a Diamond Bar dentist near you, we can quickly examine and treat you.
- You are having difficulty swallowing. In this case, you need to be treated by our emergency dentist office immediately. Do not delay or take any chances with this particular symptom. It is possible to develop a dental abscess, an infection that can spread from your root canal to the floor of your mouth and even into your neck. This requires urgent care.
- You cannot bite down without pain. In this case, your tooth could be infected and require a standard root canal. If so, we can perform the procedure quickly.
- Your tooth is changing color. Another sign of an infection is if the tooth begins to change color. In this case, it may appear gray or dull, and performing a root canal could be necessary for restoring the health of your tooth.
