Why do I need a Root Canal in Hamden?
Are you experiencing quick sharp pains in a tooth? Does it get worse or do you feel pressure when you bend or lay down? Does the coffee being too hot, or the ice cream being too cold make you wince with pain?
Sorry to say it, but you may be looking at an infected or dead tooth. And one of the ways to combat this is a root canal.
The term can invoke fear in many. And to be honest it’s not a pleasant thing having your mouth open for that long to take care of the ‘root” of the problem. But, the relief when it’s all over, you’ll be out and about in Hamden before you know it.
Most of the time the reason for a root canal is an infection or dead tooth. Sometimes it can be caused by an injury which has damaged the pulp of the tooth.
Pain, pressure, and sensitivity to hot and cold can be indicators. Other symptoms may be:
- Bumps on the gums
- Swollen and/or tender gums
- Darkening of the gums
- A chipped or cracked tooth or
- An abscessed tooth.
Understanding that there are layers to the tooth, the enamel, the dentin, the pulp, and the root a root canal addresses issues that arise in the pulp and root of the tooth.
With advances in equipment, imaging, and even local anesthetics, now a root canal is more akin to having a cavity filled than having your tooth tied to a string with the opposite end tied to a doorknob to be yanked out.
So, why do you need a root canal? Why not get it extracted and replaced with an implant?
A root canal allows you to alleviate the pain, keep the bone around the tooth, and by keeping the tooth you don’t need to have an implant.
Our dentists will take an xray to make sure that the procedure is necessary and appropriate. If you do have an abscess the dentist may recommend waiting a couple of days until the antibiotics kick in before proceeding.
We will clean and numb your mouth, remove the affected area, clean it again, and then fill the tooth and cap it to seal and protect the tooth.
Generally, the procedure can take between 1 and 2 hours, depending on which tooth it is. The farther back in the mouth, the longer the amount of time.
You may have soreness after the procedure but all in all you should be back to normal in a few days.
Make sure that you maintain excellent oral hygiene after the procedure and contact us here in Hamden if you have any complications.