Root Canal Treatment

Durango, CO

Why do most people need a root canal?

When a tooth becomes infected, that infection can spread into the center of the tooth. This area is called the dental pulp. Inside the dental pulp is the nerves, connective tissue, and blood vessels. All of the sensitive areas of the tooth are contained here. As such, when the area becomes infected it can be incredibly painful, requiring immediate treatment. We can perform a root canal quickly on people living in and around the Durango area.

Why should I have a root canal treatment?

If you live in Durango, CO you should schedule an appointment with us to discuss the health of your teeth, any problems that you may be having, and what should be done to heal and protect the tooth. If it appears that a root canal is the best option, we will make this recommendation. If not, we will present a treatment solution that will solve your health issue. Overall, a root canal endodontics treatment is extremely effective for saving damaged teeth by removing any infection that may be there. This single treatment makes it possible for millions of teeth to be saved on an annual basis and once it is completed; eating and drinking becomes easy again.

Signs That You Need Endodontic Surgery

If the root of the tooth has an infection, it is most likely due to an abscess or other condition that is below the root spreading up through the tooth. This is why it is crucial to seek professional treatment from an endodontist who has the expertise and tools to perform the necessary endodontic surgery. Do not hesitate to schedule an examination to determine the extent and cause of the pain. If endodontic surgery is necessary, there will be specific signs to look out for. Here are some signs that you need endodontic surgery

1. Continuous pain after a professional cleaning

   While it is common to experience pain from having food sticking between the teeth, the pain one will feel that requires endodontic surgery will be much more severe. A general dentist may be able to treat a minor infection with non-surgical means, but if the infection is too great, then an endodontist will be necessary.

2. Increased sensitivity to hot and cold

   When you consume anything hot or cold, you may have a slight reaction on your teeth or in your mouth, which is completely natural. However, if the reaction is solely from the teeth and is much greater than normal, then you may need an endodontic procedure. If you have a reaction to any drink or food item, then you definitely need an examination. The pain can be due to the enamel on the teeth being weaker or the inside of the tooth having an infection.

3. Pain and tenderness to touching the teeth or chewing

   While it is possible to hurt the teeth by applying too much pressure, endodontic surgery is only necessary when the teeth feel intense pain from hardly any pressure. If you feel pain when chewing on any type of food or from the slightest touch of a toothbrush, then you need to schedule an examination as soon as possible. People may assume that this pain is only temporary or bearable, but the pain will only get worse and interrupt one's daily routine.

4. Swelling and drainage of gums around the tooth

   If you notice any odd drainage or swelling around a specific tooth, then a root canal may be the most efficient method to treat and save that tooth. When the pulp of the tooth is infected, it can slowly spread to the gums and even the jawbone surrounding the tooth. When this occurs, it is even more crucial to seek professional services such as endodontic surgery.

5. Abnormal discoloration of a specific tooth

   While teeth gradually discolor from consuming wine, coffee, tea, tobacco, and other products, it is not common to see a drastic discoloration. Even if one is forgetful with brushing twice a day, a sudden discoloration in the teeth is unnatural. The discoloration is the result of an infection spreading through the tooth to the gums and jawbone. Major discoloration of a tooth is a sign of an infection that will most likely require endodontic surgery to treat.

6. You have a dental abscess at the bottom of the tooth root

   A dental abscess forms from an infection in the tooth and starts at the bottom of the tooth root. A traditional dentist cannot treat a dental abscess without a form of surgery. Thus, it is crucial to seek professional treatment since a dental abscess causes incredible pain in and around the specific tooth.

7. You notice and feel a tiny bump near the tooth

   This bump will appear to be a pimple on the gums near or around the infected tooth that is causing pain. If you notice this and other symptoms, then you will most likely need professional treatment. By visiting an endodontist, you will be able to find the cause for this bump and receive the most effective solution.

8. Your face is swollen.

   In this scenario, you could have a severe infection and require an immediate root canal. As a Durango dentist near you, we can quickly examine and treat you.

9. You are having difficulty swallowing.

   In this case, you need to be treated by our emergency dentist's 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.

How does the treatment work?

A root canal endodontic procedure works by creating a small hole in the tooth so that all of the infected areas can be removed. The dental pulp is removed, and oftentimes so are the roots. You only need your tooth roots to feel sensations like hot and cold and for the tooth to grow in. Once it has fully matured, removing the roots will not directly harm the tooth. It can, however, prevent the further spread of infection so when it is necessary to remove the roots; we promptly do so. Once done, we will clean the area to ensure that the infection is gone. We will typically prescribe antibiotics, as well. This ensures that any lingering infection is eliminated.

In order to complete the root canal, we will seal up the hole and area where the dental pulp used to be. This is typically done with something called gutta-percha. This is a rubber-like substance that can help to stabilize the tooth now that a portion is missing. At Durango Dentistry, we will then use a filling or crown in order to further strengthen and protect the damaged tooth. Both fillings and crowns can now be created in a tooth color. This means that regardless of where your infected tooth is located, a crown can be used, and it will blend in seamlessly with the surrounding teeth. Patients throughout the Durango area appreciate how natural their tooth looks once the procedure is complete.

What are the advantages of this procedure?

In the past, many people would need to have their teeth pulled if they became severely infected or the dental pulp became inflamed. Now, those same teeth can be saved by performing a root canal. This is a far better option because it keeps the natural tooth in place. This is important for the shape of the face because as teeth fall out the muscles in the face can start to sag. While this is not particularly common with the loss of one tooth, it is when several become infected and fall out. By treating and saving an infected tooth, we are helping to preserve our patient's facial structure.

Another benefit is that once the root canal has been completed, and the filling or crown is in place; it is possible to eat like normal and without restrictions. Once the infection is gone, and the tooth is strengthened, it will behave like it used to. That makes it possible to bite down with normal force, chew, and maintain normal activities without worrying about the tooth. This helps patients throughout Durango get back to their busy schedules.

A restored tooth will look completely natural if a tooth-colored crown or filling is used to restore it. In fact, crowns can be created in the exact shade of the surrounding teeth so that they blend in perfectly. This way no one will know that you ever had a procedure completed. If, in fact, you had a root canal done previously, you may want to have the filling or crown around it replaced with today's version for an improved appearance.

Alternatively, if don't have a root canal endodontics procedure completed, the infected tooth will likely need to be pulled. This is essential for preventing the spread of infection. Once the tooth is removed it will need to be replaced. The options for doing so involve wearing a denture, getting a dental bridge, or having dental implants installed. These are all viable solutions but take additional time, and the recovery period is longer since the procedures will take several steps. Therefore, one possible solution is for us to attempt to save your tooth by performing a root canal endodontics procedure.

What about discomfort?

We work to help patients to feel comfortable during their root canal endodontics procedure by using sedation dentistry. We have a variety of ways that we can eliminate both discomfort and anxiety during a root canal. Whether a patient needs to take something ahead of time to relax or medication to numb the specific area that is being worked on, we can provide painless dentistry and help patients enjoy their dental treatments.

Myths about root canals

The truth is that the patient will feel more pain if he or she avoids seeking professional treatment. Regardless, there is one procedure that people seem to fear above the rest: the root canal.

People may even avoid seeking proper treatment due to believing these myths about root canals. There are several myths about root canals that people still believe. Below are the myths and the truths behind each of them.

• Root canals are painful

  The truth is that root canals are not as painful as people believe. Most professional endodontists will use anesthesia to numb the area of the procedure and help the patient relax. Thanks to the anesthesia, the patient will not feel any pain during the procedure and the endodontist can proceed without issue.

  Following the procedure, the patient may feel some level of soreness but will be able to treat the soreness with painkillers or stronger medication the endodontist recommends.

• I will be unable to eat hard foods after a root canal procedure

  Actually, a root canal will not prevent you from ever consuming your favorite foods again. With the root canal procedure, you will no longer feel pain since the procedure removes the nerve of the tooth. Once the endodontist covers the tooth back up, you will actually have less feeling within that tooth than before.

  Immediately following the procedure, there may be a few days in which you need to eat carefully and avoid biting directly on hard foods with the tooth. However, after this period, you will be able to eat what you want when you want. While a dental crown that covers the tooth may require maintenance from time to time, you will be able to continue eating and living on your regular schedule.

• Root canals require the dentist to remove the entire tooth

  This is false. In reality, we want to keep the natural teeth in the best shape possible and only recommend a complete extraction when it is completely necessary. Thus, an endodontist will use a root canal to remove the infected portion of the tooth and cover the tooth back up to ensure that the infection does not spread.

  There is no reason to remove the entire tooth unless the infection consumes the tooth beyond repair and spreads to other teeth. This is why we recommend that people seek treatment from an endodontist as soon as possible.

• Root canals cause illnesses in the patient

  While some people may believe that root canals make you more susceptible to illnesses and diseases, it is not true. There is no evidence that states this fact that professionals did not debunk. The truth is that you are more likely to get sick from leaving the infection in the tooth and not seeking a root canal procedure. If the infection is in an upper tooth and it spreads through the sinuses, a patient can die if he or she does not seek treatment.

  With proper dental hygiene and regular checkups, we can help to keep your teeth healthy. In the case of a serious dental infection, an endodontist can help effectively remove the infection without having to remove the entire tooth.

• Root canals will take multiple appointments

  While an endodontist may need two appointments, one to identify that a root canal is necessary and one to perform the root canal, a root canal will not require multiple visits. If the patient schedules an emergency appointment due to unbearable pain, then the endodontist will do everything possible to treat the tooth immediately.

  If the patient needs more intensive endodontic surgery, then the endodontist will schedule a second appointment specifically for the surgery. It is understandable that people have busy schedules, but it will be extremely difficult to function each day with a dental infection.

Understanding the Layers of Teeth

Within the tooth, there are layers that people may not be aware of. Underneath the enamel is the dentin. The dentin is the second layer of the tooth and contains the dental pulp. The dental pulp is the center of a tooth and contains the nerves and blood vessels. Any damage to the tooth that affects the position of these layers or reaches the dental pulp will cause the patient serious pain.

Even a minor crack that one decides to leave untreated can lead to catastrophic results the longer the patient waits to seek professional treatment. While a general dentist is certainly effective in preventing infection and keeping teeth healthy, there are issues that only a specialist will be able to treat. An endodontist can provide the necessary treatment for a variety of infections, cracks, chips, or breaks in the teeth.

Several different types of tooth fractures

When a tooth fracture goes deep enough, it can jeopardize the entire tooth and the health of the surrounding teeth. The fracture can also allow plaque to breach the layers of the tooth and cause an infection. While the enamel is a shield that protects teeth against infection, a fracture can cause enough damage for the infection to break through.

There are several different types of fractures that an endodontist will treat:

• Oblique supragingival fracture

  • An oblique supragingival fracture consists of a crack in the upper portion of the tooth that is above the gum line. This type of fracture may not cause immediate pain but can lead to infection or pain in the future without treatment. While this type of fracture can be fairly small, it usually affects the surface of the tooth.

    The surface of the tooth is the most-used section for chewing food. Using a tooth with this type of fracture will only cause more issues. With various forms of treatment available, an endodontist will need to examine the fracture in order to determine the most effective form of treatment.

• Oblique subgingival fracture

  • An oblique subgingival fracture consists of a fracture that covers more of the tooth and can even reach down the root to the jawbone below the gum line. This type of fracture can cause intense pain and make simple tasks such as chewing, speaking, or even just sitting still, difficult. This type of fracture can also affect the nerves within the tooth.

• Oblique root fracture

  • While having a similar title to the other fractures listed above, an oblique root fracture takes place below the gum line and can extend all the way into the jaw. Unlike more minor fractures, this fracture will be extremely painful and will require professional endodontic treatment.

• Vertical furcation fracture

  • A vertical furcation fracture involves the tooth splitting and becoming two or more roots. This fracture will cause the patient pain and make it impossible to effectively use the tooth for basic functions.

• Vertical apical root fracture

  • A vertical apical root fracture is a fracture directly down the middle of the tooth and root. This type of fracture can be painful and will require professional treatment. In some cases, the treatment may involve root canal therapy to help the patient heal.

• Vertical root fracture

  • If part of the tooth root breaks off, it is known as a vertical root fracture. The cause will often involve brittle roots due to nerve death in the tooth. In other cases, a previous root canal procedure that went wrong can also cause this type of fracture.

Do not wait to seek treatment

If you are struggling with any of these issues or pain in your mouth for no known reason, then seek professional care as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the worse the condition will get. If you are unsure about how to find an endodontist in your area, visit a general dentist and ask for advice or recommendations.