Tooth pain can happen for many reasons including tooth decay, dental damage, thinning tooth enamel, and foreign objects stuck between teeth. However, the most severe tooth pain is often indicative of a need for root canal therapy. This treatment is necessary when dental trauma or decay accesses the inner most layers of the tooth where the nerve system is housed. This can result in severe pain and sensitivity to changes in temperature. When this happens, it’s time to relieve tooth pain and save damaged teeth with root canals.

Call for an Emergency Appointment

Most dentists will want to see you immediately, if they believe you’re in need of root canal therapy. The sooner we begin treatment, the more likely we’ll be able to save the tooth with a root canal. You should contact a dentist for emergency dental care if you experience any of the following common indicators of a need for root canal therapy:

• Toothache – can be constant, throbbing pain or sharp pain when biting down
• Sensitivity – new or significantly worsened dental sensitivity that lingers even after a hot or cold item is removed
• Discoloration – tooth that is darkened in sports especially near the gum line
• Soft tissue damage – infection, inflammation, or irritation may be present in the gums surrounding the damaged tooth or there may be a small sore that resembles a pimple on the surface of the gums

How Root Canals Help

Root canals have developed a bad reputation, but they are actually pain relieving, tooth saving procedures when performed by a trained professional. Rather than extracting a tooth that has been severely damaged or decayed, a root canal allows us to preserve the healthy tooth structure. The procedure begins with a small access hole drilled from the top of the tooth into the pulp layer. Then, the damaged soft tissue and nerve is removed. The tooth is refilled with a substance that is biocompatible and similar to the removed tissue. Finally, the tooth is resealed, and in most cases, we’ll place a dental crown to provide increased protection and strengthen the remaining tooth structure.

Meet Dr. Young

At the Allentown dental office of Bradford G. Young, DMD, PC, our team is dedicated to providing quality care patients can trust. That all begins by offering education, so patients fully understand all of their treatment options. Our blog is just one more way we provide patients with more information about caring for their smiles. If you’d like to find out more about root canals or schedule an appointment, please don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Young and his knowledgeable Allentown dental team.