Alternatives To Dentures Palo Alto, CA

Root Canal Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why would I need a root canal?

A. When the nerve of a tooth becomes irreversibly damaged -- due to decay, trauma, or a crack in the tooth -- you'll need root canal treatment.

Q. How can the dentist tell if I need a root canal?

A. Often nerve damage causes tooth pain, swelling and sensitivity to hot or cold. You may also notice that the tooth is becoming darker in color. Sometimes, it can only be diagnosed with an X-ray or other tests.

Q. What happens during a root canal?

A. During root canal treatment, the dentist cleans out the infected pulp tissue within the roots. After all the nerve has been removed, the canals are filled with a sealer.

Q. How long will it take?

A. Usually, root canal therapy takes one or two appointments for a front tooth (anterior), and two or three appointments for a back tooth (posterior). A tooth can have from one to four roots and all the roots must be treated.

Q. After the root canal is finished, will the tooth need more work?

A. The tooth is more brittle after a root canal and requires a permanent restoration. This could range from a simple tooth filling to a large build-up with posts and pins. If the tooth filling is large, the tooth may also need a dental crown to protect the tooth from breaking.

Q. Why not just take out the tooth?

A. It's usually healthier and less expensive to save the tooth with root canal treatment. Replacing an extracted tooth involves either expensive bridgework or a partial denture. If the tooth is extracted and not replaced, adjoining teeth can move into the empty space, creating even more problems.

Q. Will root canal treatment be painful?

A. Your tooth will be numb during the treatment. If your tooth was aching or sensitive prior to treatment, it may take a few days for the tooth to get back to feeling normal. You can take a mild painkiller during that time. If it's necessary, something stronger will be prescribed. If the tooth had been badly infected, you may need to take an antibiotic.

Q. How much will it a Root Canal cost?

A. The cost of root canal treatment usually depends on the number of canals which are infected and need treatment. There will be a separate charge for the restoration, which will vary from the cost of a simple filling to a crown. All expected treatment charges will be discussed with you before treatment.

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.

An Abscessed Tooth Is a Bacterial Infection

Tooth pain is what usually brings someone with a dental abscess into the dentist's office. These teeth infections can be painful affairs, sometimes accompanied by shooting pains up and down the face. Even if you hate going to the dentist, you'll find that abscessed tooth pain is far worse.

Tooth abscesses are often accompanied by swelling in the cheek or oral tissues. However, sometimes abscessed teeth may have no visible swelling or little pain, so it's important not to wait until you're in severe pain to see a dentist.

If you're diagnosed with an abscessed tooth, you generally have two treatment options: get a root canal, or have the tooth extracted. The tooth infection is deep down inside the tooth root, and the only way to cure it is to clean it out.

Root canal treatment lets you save a tooth even when the tooth's root has become infected. An endodontist or root canal dentist will open up your tooth, clean out the infected pulp inside, and replace the damaged tissue with an inert material. Once a dental crown is placed, you're left with a tooth that looks and feels just like all the others in your mouth.

Tooth extraction is also known as "pulling a tooth." Thanks to modern dental anesthetics, it's not as painful as cartoons might lead you to believe. Your dentist will explain your options for replacing the tooth. Some people opt for dental implant surgery, while others choose a dental bridge or partial denture.

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.