Warning Signs That You May Need a Root Canal

Root canal treatment is used to repair or save teeth that have become badly decayed or infected. Many patients in Bay City, MI fear root canals because they are fearful of pain. However, the discomfort leading up to getting a root canal procedure is much more uncomfortable than the procedure itself. At Bay City Dental Center, Dr. Matthew Ward uses root canal therapy to restore a patient’s oral health with this procedure. During a dental exam, he can listen to your symptoms, and evaluate your teeth and gums to determine if you need a root canal.

What is a root canal?

During a root canal at Bay City Dental Center, Dr. Ward drills through the tooth to reach inside to the pulp. The tooth will be cleaned thoroughly, and the pulp removed completely. Once the pulp is removed, and the tooth is cleaned, gutta-percha is placed inside the tooth to entirely close it off so that infection doesn’t occur again. A temporary filling is placed on the tooth. A crown can restore the tooth entirely at another appointment.

Why you may need a root canal

A tooth’s pulp can become irritated, infected, or inflamed due to cracked or chipped teeth, facial trauma, large fillings, repeated dental procedures on the same tooth, or severe tooth decay. The pulp contains nerve cells, blood vessels, or connective tissue. Untreated cavities allow bacteria to work to the center of the tooth, where an infection can develop. While pain can go away, an infection won’t heal without proper treatment. A Bay City Michigan dentist, like Dr. Ward, uses root canal therapy to restore a tooth. Any opening in the tooth enamel gives bacteria the chance to access your pulp. This makes it important to schedule an appointment whenever you feel any type of tooth pain.

Signs you need a root canal

There are many signs that you need a root canal in Bay City, MI, including:

Discoloration on a tooth
Prolonged tooth sensitivity
Severe tooth pain when biting or chewing
Swelling in the gums around a tooth
Persistent or recurring pimple along the gumline

While these are common symptoms, sometimes, there are no symptoms at all. This makes it important to have regular dental examinations and dental cleanings with Dr. Ward to ensure your oral health is at its best.

Is there an alternative to root canal therapy?

An alternative to root canal treatment is tooth extraction. However, Dr. Ward works hard to save teeth at Bay City Dental Center. Removing a tooth can lead to loss of jawbone or teeth shifting later on. This is why he recommends root canal therapy more often to his patients throughout Bay City, Saginaw, and Midland, MI.

Restore oral health with a root canal

When you’re experiencing tooth sensitivity, pain, or red or tender gums, it’s important to visit Bay City Dental Center for a dental exam. Dr. Matthew Ward will evaluate your teeth and gums to determine if you need root canal treatment. Schedule an appointment when you have any warning signs that you may need a root canal in Bay City, MI.