Do I Need a Root Canal

Franklin, TN

At New Image Dentistry, patients ask, "my tooth hurts, do I need a root canal?" Toothaches can be terribly inconvenient. They make it difficult to eat, speak and function. As a family dentist in Franklin, TN, we realize that a common toothache is something most people can live with until it suddenly turns a corner and becomes unbearable. The key is to visit our dental office at that initial stage before you reach the point of severe discomfort. This will give you the largest amount of options for how to treat the problem. To schedule an appointment with our family dental office, call (615) 591-4490.

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If you are wondering, "my tooth hurts, do I need a root canal?" the answer is – not necessarily. We know that your tooth could hurt for several reasons, including:

• Food is stuck in between your teeth or in between the ridges on the chewing surfaces of your teeth.
• You could have a cavity.
• Your tooth could have been chipped or cracked.
• You may be suffering from enamel erosion.

In these scenarios, we can treat the problem without needing to perform a root canal. For example, we can clean your teeth and remove any food particles causing discomfort. If you have a cavity, we can remove the decay and place a filling at our family dentist office. This is done quickly and is far less invasive than a root canal. If your tooth is chipped or cracked, we can restore it using dental bonding or dental veneers. If you are dealing with erosion, you may need dental crowns to protect your teeth. We also restore teeth on a daily basis and have several ways of doing so.

Other Factors You Need to Consider

There are many times when a root canal is the right treatment option, so to answer the question, "my tooth hurts, do I need a root canal?" we must also look at the surrounding circumstances.

How long has your tooth been hurting?

When you visit our dental office in Franklin, TN, we need to know how long you have been dealing with this issue and whether the pain came on suddenly or if it has built up over time. This will help us in determining the source of the discomfort and the best treatment plan for your long term dental health. Our registered dental assistant will take an x-ray of the tooth that is causing pain. Dr. Blourchian will evaluate the x-ray and perform a dental examination and formulate a treatment plan. We perform most dental procedures such as root canals, extractions, dental implants and cosmetic dental procedures in our office in one location. We will quickly get you out of pain and perform the recommended procedure at that time or schedule a visit for you to come back. The good news is that we will work quickly and efficiently to eliminate any pain you are experiencing during your visit that same day.

What is a root canal?

A root canal is a procedure to eliminate infected, damaged or diseased pulp tissue in the root of the tooth. The pulp is soft tissue located beneath the enamel and dentin of your tooth and contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue. When the tooth pulp becomes infected or damaged, it must be removed to prevent further infection of the surrounding tissue. Root canals are performed as a measure to save the natural tooth. When teeth reach the terminal stage, the only option is extraction. Replacement of an extracted tooth can be quite costly and require surgery. Because of this, it is extremely important to address tooth pain and proceed with root canal therapy as a last measure to save a natural tooth as soon as possible.

What are the signs you may need a root canal?

• Severe tooth pain when eating or when pressure is put on the tooth
• Sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers after the hot/cold stimuli has been removed
• Darkening of the tooth
• Tenderness or swelling in the gums or face near the area of tooth pain

If you are experiencing pain and suspect you may need a root canal, call our Franklin dental office today (615) 591-4490 to schedule an appointment.

When to Call Our Emergency Dentist Office

If you have any of these symptoms, you should call our emergency dentist office at 615-295-8290 and schedule an appointment to be seen right away.

• Your face is swollen. In this scenario, you could have a severe infection and require an immediate root canal. As a Franklin dentist near you, we can quickly examine and treat you.
• You are having difficulty swallowing. In this case, you need to be treated by our emergency dentist office immediately. Do not delay or take any chances with this particular symptom. It is possible to develop a dental abscess, an infection that can spread from your root canal to the floor of your mouth and even into your neck. This requires urgent care.
• You cannot bite down without pain. In this case, your tooth could be infected and require a standard root canal. If so, we can perform the procedure quickly.
• Your tooth is changing color. Another sign of an infection is if the tooth begins to change color. In this case, it may appear gray or dull, and performing a root canal could be necessary for restoring the health of your tooth.

The Process of Performing a Root Canal

When patients call us asking, "my tooth hurts, do I need a root canal?" the second question they normally ask is what the process will be like. At New Image Dentistry, we will answer any questions you may have during your examination and consultation. We can complete a root canal in a way that is as comfortable as possible. The reality is that a root canal does not have to hurt. In fact, by using sedation, we can help you feel calm and relaxed to the point that most of our patients say they feel much better after the treatment than they did before the treatment. The root canal removes the infection, which is the cause of the initial discomfort, to relieve the pain. When looking for a "dentist near me" to perform a root canal, be sure to visit one who offers sedation.

When performing a root canal in our family dentist office, we do the following:

• Clean the tooth
• Numb the area
• Create a small hole in the tooth
• Remove the infected portion
• Clean the interior of the tooth
• Seal it with a rubbery substance
• Restore the tooth using a filling or crown