When a Root Canal Is Necessary

When a Root Canal Is Necessary

Know when you may need to turn to our Des Plaines, IL, team for a root canal.

When you come into our practice every six months, this gives us a chance to monitor the health of your smile while also protecting your smile from decay and other problems. Of course, sometimes issues arise between these appointments and you may be wondering if the issues and symptoms you’re experiencing could be warning signs that a root canal is on the horizon. Here are the signs that it’s time to turn to our Des Plaines, IL, dentists Dr. Roman Dziubyk, Dr. Lorelei Grise or Dr. Michelle Radeka right away for dental care,

Tooth Pain

Dental pain can range from mild to severe, and can be characterized as aching, stabbing or throbbing. The pain may get triggered by hot or cold foods and beverages. The pain can last as little as a few minutes or for hours.

Gum Tenderness and Swelling

Again, just like your tooth pain, gum swelling can range from very mild to protruding. The swelling tends to be around the root of the infected or damaged tooth. Some people even experience an abscess (a pimple-like growth) on the gums instead of inflammation.

Pain with Chewing

Another sign of an infected dental pulp is if the tooth that’s causing you pain also gets worse when you put pressure on the tooth. If you notice increased sensitivity or pain when chewing or biting down on the tooth this is a sign that you may need a root canal.

These are the telltale signs that it might be time to see our Des Plaines, IL, dentist right away to find out if you need root canal treatment. During your visit we will ask you questions regarding your symptoms, run imaging tests and examine your smile to see if you may have an infected or damaged tooth.

The Reasons You Might Need a Root Canal

If you are experiencing tooth pain it could be the result of an infected or inflamed pulp. A dental pulp is a soft inner structure within each tooth that contains blood vessels, tissue and nerves. When an infection breaks through the hard outer layers of the tooth it can reach the pulp and infect it. Damage to the pulp can also occur from direct trauma.

If an X-ray determines that the pulp of your tooth is infected, we will need to perform root canal treatment to remove the diseased pulp and tissue and to clean out the infection. This is the only way to preserve your natural tooth and to prevent further damage. It’s under these circumstances that our dentist will advise getting a root canal. The sooner you seek treatment after experiencing these symptoms the easier it will be to save your tooth.

It’s important that you do not ignore the warning signs of a root canal, especially when our Des Plaines, IL, dental team can get you in right away for care. Nothing is more important than the health of your smile. Turn to the dental experts at Suburban Family Dental for the treatment you need when it matters most. Call us today at (847) 640-0778.