If you have a toothache that lasts for several days, it’s important for you to schedule an appointment with one of our Grand Rapids emergency dentists as soon as possible.
Our restorative dentists will be able to examine your teeth and gums, as well as take dental X-rays to determine if you need an emergency root canal. If an oral infection is deep enough to penetrate the pulp (living tissue) inside your tooth, you’ll need root canal therapy.
A root canal is often a last-resort effort to save a tooth. Dental pulp can be infected by:
- Deep tooth decay
- Traumatic dental injury
- Tooth cracks and chips
- Large fillings
- Too many dental procedures done on the same tooth
Signs You Need a Root Canal
Keep in mind that you may not show signs you need a root canal until it is too late, which is why it’s important to see our dentists for an oral exam every six months. If you notice any of the following symptoms, you’ll need to call our office right away to schedule emergency root canal therapy.
- Severe toothache
- Darkening of tooth
- Pimple on gums
- Prolonged tooth sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
- Swollen tender gums, especially near affected tooth
How Root Canals Work
Since the inside of your tooth is infected, it only makes sense that our dentists would want to keep your tooth dry and clean during the procedure. After injecting local anesthesia to numb your tooth, our dentists may put a small sheet of rubber around the tooth called a dental dam.
A root canal is often a last-resort effort to save a tooth!
Next, our restoration dentists will drill a hole through the top of the tooth in order to remove diseased dental pulp, bacteria, and other debris. Our dentists will then use small files to shape the inside of your tooth, as well as reshape the tooth root.
Once the inside of the tooth is clean and dry, our dentists will fill it with a special material called and cover the tooth with a temporary filling. When you come back for your next appointment, a permanent root canal crown will be placed to restore your tooth to its original strength and appearance.
Schedule an Appointment
Our Grand Rapids, MI, root canal dentists have experience saving teeth after dental pulp has been infected. If you have a severe toothache and need to schedule an appointment with one of our emergency dentists, call GR Family Dental today at (616) 455-3020, or contact us online.