Getting Past Your Dental Fears And Learning About Technology

Several years ago I decided to take a trip to the dentist after skipping multiple appointments for over 15 years. I truly had a dental anxiety and had a hard time getting over my fears. Thankfully, my dental visit went smoothly with only four cavities identified. What I did find from this dental visit was that there was a great deal of new information and technology that I had been missing out on. Laser-based technology and digital imaging are just a few examples. With this blog, I want you to understand that you can get over your fears and learn about this new technology like I did, so enjoy the information.

Signs That You Might Need A Root Canal

Dentist Articles

There are times when dentists know for certain that a tooth needs a root canal, simply from the symptoms the person is experiencing, but there are also times when the symptoms are not quite as obvious. A root canal is used to save a tooth that otherwise would end up needing to be extracted, and it is often performed in two steps. Here are some of the signs dentists look for that help them determine when root canals are needed to save teeth.

Tooth Pain

If you are feeling minor or severe pain with one of your teeth, there is a good chance it will need a root canal. The pain felt with teeth is often the result of bacterial infections in the roots of the tooth. The roots of teeth hold nerves that communicate with the teeth to help them feel hot and cold sensations. When a tooth starts hurting, it is often because the nerves in the teeth are damaged due to infections.

Infections that end up in the roots of teeth are a result of decay. Decay on a tooth needs to be removed as soon as it forms. If it is not removed, it can end up causing damage to the gums near the tooth and to other parts of the tooth. The decay will work its way deep inside a tooth, and the decay will eventually land inside the roots of the tooth. The only way to clear up this problem is through a root canal procedure.

Cracks Or Chips In Teeth

When a tooth is cracked or chipped, the tooth is prone to experiencing problems if the crack or chip is not fixed quickly. Any type of crack in a tooth opens up the risk for bacteria to seep inside the tooth. When this happens, the bacteria will end up finding its way deep inside the roots of the tooth, and this will cause an infection in the tooth's roots.

If you have a cracked or chipped tooth and are not experiencing pain yet, you should still visit a dentist soon. If you get to the dentist quickly, you may be able to avoid needing a root canal. If you wait, you will most likely end up needing one in order to save the tooth.

Depending on the severity of the crack or chip, your dentist might be able to fix the tooth by inserting a filling in the tooth or by placing a crown or veneer over it.

X-Rays

If you are not experiencing pain with a tooth, there is still a chance you may need a root canal. Your dentist may be suspicious that a root canal is needed if he or she finds a large cavity on one of your teeth. If your tooth has a large cavity, the dentist will probably take an x-ray of that particular tooth. This is done to see if the decay has spread to the roots of the tooth, and the x-ray will show this very clearly.

X-rays show the teeth themselves, but they also clearly show the roots of the teeth. If the roots are black in color, it often means there is a problem with the roots. If this is the case, the dentist may test your tooth by tapping it with a dental tool. If you feel pain, it most likely means the roots are infected and a root canal is needed.

Root canal procedures are used to save teeth, and they are often the only way teeth can be saved. If you have a tooth that is bothering you, this might be the procedure you need to fix it. To learn more, contact a root canal dentist today. 

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3 January 2017