Are you ready for a root canal? If you have an infection or a dental abscess, then you may need this safe and comfortable endodontic procedure to maintain a healthy smile and avoid possible tooth loss. We can use anesthetic and even sedation dentistry to help ensure your experience is calm and relaxing.
Try Our Root Canal Readiness Quiz
- True or False: A toothache can be a warning sign.
- True or False: An untreated cavity can lead to an infected tooth.
- True or False: You can lose the tooth without treatment.
- True or False: We can fix the problem with a root canal.
Answer Key
- True. An aching tooth lets you know something is wrong. This can be a sign of tooth decay, a fractured tooth, or even an infected tooth. Other warning signs of infection may include tooth sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, fever, swelling near the tooth, a poor tasting discharge from the tooth, or pain when you bite down or chew. Don’t ignore any possible warning signs, have your dentist perform a diagnosis right away.
- True. Without treatment, a cavity will continue to spread until the bacteria comes into contact with your tooth’s pulp. The pulp is the nerve center of the tooth, keeping it alive and healthy. However, bacteria coming into contact with the pulp can lead to a painful infection.
- True. The presence of bacteria can cause infection that unless treated, will cause the tooth to die. At this point, the tooth will need to be removed to prevent the spread of infection.
- True. A root canal allows the doctor to remove the infected pulp and clean the inside of the tooth. The doctor can then place a restorative filling and cap the tooth with a lifelike crown, protecting it from further decay or infection.
