Don’t Live In Pain, Get A Root Canal Instead

 

 

 

 

 

Which would you rather do?

☐ Give a speech in front of a large group of people

☐ Walk across a high bridge

☐ Have a root canal

Root canals have a reputation for being something awful that you must endure only when necessary. You might feel differently if you come to our dentist office in Tulsa, OK, for your root canal treatment.

We can and do perform  pain-free root canals for our patients regularly at Galleria of Smiles. Our hope is to help you understand that having a root canal can be good for your oral health.

If you suspect you may have an infected tooth, please call Galleria of Smiles at 918.999.0142 or contact us online to make an appointment.

 

Do You Need A Root Canal?

Root canal treatments are used to fix infected teeth. So what are the signs that you have a tooth infection?

▸ Severe toothaches

▸ Increased tooth sensitivity to heat or cold

▸ Swollen or tender gums

▸ Dark spots on teeth

▸ Pimple-like bump on your gums

You could experience one or more of these symptoms at any given time. The important thing to remember is to seek help if you notice them.

We don’t want you to be in pain. The sooner you make your appointment at Galleria of Smiles, the sooner we can end it.

 

What Causes Tooth Infections?

Bacteria cause tooth infections. Specifically, a tooth becomes infected when bacteria reaches reach the pulp, a soft connective tissue at the center of the tooth.

The pulp chamber also holds nerves and blood vessels. When the pulp is infected or inflamed, this causes the pain you feel as part of a toothache. It’s also a good reminder that something is already wrong if your tooth hurts.

Bacteria can reach your pulp in multiple ways.

◼︎ Broken or cracked teeth

That broken tooth you got after got hit in the mouth with a basketball should be taken seriously. The break may have exposed the inner layers of your teeth. These layers are softer than the enamel on the outside, and bacteria can eat through the softer layers faster until they reach the pulp.

Get the tooth repaired and restored with a dental crown may prevent you from needing a root canal entirely.

◼︎ Tooth decay

Cavities affect more than 90 percent of Americans at one time or another. Although getting a dental filling is relatively simple, many people will put off this procedure until it’s too late.

Leaving the tooth decay in your tooth allows bacteria to eat deeper and deeper until it reaches the pulp chamber. And that’s when the bigger problems start.

◼︎ Gum disease

When someone’s gums are infected, he or she often has bacteria, plaque, and tartar near the roots of their teeth. If the bacteria starts to eat away at the root, then it won’t take long for it to reach the root canal (the openings in your roots where the nerves and blood vessels enter your tooth).

The pulp reaches into the root canals as well. If the bacteria can get to your root canal, the infection can take hold.

 

What Happens During A Root Canal Treatment

Here’s what you can expect at our dentist office in Tulsa, OK.

Before we do anything, we want to make sure you are relaxed and comfortable. Some people just need a local anesthetic, and they are ready to go. Other people prefer sedation dentistry. We offer nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and IV sedation.

If you are interested in dental sedation, we can discuss your option and help you choose the one that is right for you.

Once you are numb or sedated, then we can begin. To end your tooth infection, we need to remove the infected tissues from your tooth.

We start by creating an opening in your tooth. Then we use special tools to remove the pulp, nerves, and blood vessels and to clean and sanitize the inside of your tooth.

When we are confident that your tooth is clean, we add a rubbery material to help it hold its shape. The last step is sealing the tooth. This can be done with a dental crown, which also restores the shape and function of your tooth.

After your root canal treatment, you should notice less and less pain as you recover. Before you know it, you will be able to eat and drink without worrying about your tooth hurting.

 

Don’t Ignore A Toothache

Teeth should not hurt. If one of your teeth is causing you pain, then you need to call our dentist office if you live in the Tulsa, OK, area.

You can reach Galleria of Smiles by calling 918.999.0142 or  contacting us online.