Categories: Root Canal

Severe Toothache? We Can Help

If you have noticed that your tooth feels more sensitive or a lingering toothache just won’t go away, it could be a sign of a severe cavity. In some cases, your dentist may be able to relieve this with a simple dental filling. However, a more serious case of tooth decay may need to be treated with the help of a root canal. The team at Omni Endo in El Paso, TX, offers root canals and other endodontic treatments that can help relieve your discomfort and protect your smile.

When A Cavity Becomes More Serious

Cavities are a common problem that can happen to patients of any age. While preventive care such as a good at home oral hygiene routine and regular checkups can help prevent them, it’s possible that you will experience tooth decay at least once. If early signs of decay are spotted during your appointment, you may be able to help reverse it with an improved routine and fluoride. A cavity that has already formed can be restored with the help of a dental filling. However, if you experience a long-lasting toothache or swelling around the area, it could be a sign of an infection or more severe cavity. When this happens, your dentist may recommend that you have a root canal done.

How A Root Canal Can Help

A root canal treatment involves removing the infected pulp, which is the innermost layer of your tooth. This area contains blood vessels and tissues that are important to the health of your dental structure. If the decay reaches this area, it can lead to a serious ache or discomfort. The damaged pulp will need to be gently removed by your dentist before disinfecting the area and adding a stronger material to fill the space. After you have healed from this procedure, your dentist may also recommend placing a dental crown over the area for further protection. In most cases, it will take around one week to recover from this restoration.

What To Do If The Infection Returns

Root canals have a fairly high success rate, but there is always a chance that the procedure fails, and the infection could return. If discomfort or sensitivity returns to the area, it could be a sign that the area was not thoroughly disinfected, and bacteria may have entered the space. We can retreat the area by reopening the space and removing the filling material. The area will need to be cleaned again, and a temporary filling can be added while the tooth heals.