Houma Root Canals

Effective Treatments for All Your Dental Needs

When you hear the word “root canal” treatment, you might be filled with dread, since it can seem that root canals are extreme forms of dental therapy. In reality, root canals are one of the safest, least meddlesome forms of dentistry. They are designed to save the interior of your teeth, to keep the natural root healthy once it has been cleaned.

If you are noticing either an abscess on your gums, increased sensitivity to eating hot or cold drinks or food, or otherwise have severe pain in your tooth, it is time to get in touch with our root canal dentists in Houma. Our doctors at Houma Family Dental can carefully analyze the problem before finding the solution that will work best for your needs.

Call us today at (985) 645-2820 so that you experience the relief that comes after a Houma root canal treatment.

What Kind of Dentist Does Root Canals?

When you need a root canal, a board-certified endodontist will conduct the procedure. While the term "endodontics" may sound complicated, it comes from Greek and simply means "inside the tooth."

What Does an Endodontist Do?

Therefore, endodontics refers to the kind of dentistry that can get rid of problems deep within your teeth, especially those that are extremely painful. Root canal therapy is one of the primary treatments for endodontic issues, such as an abscessed tooth, and allows the endodontist to preserve the root of the tooth despite exterior damage due to decay.

How Root Canal Therapy Works

When the nerve of your tooth deep within the pulp has been exposed to bacterial infection and the subsequent decay, you will notice excruciating pain as the tooth begins to die. In order to save the tooth, the best option is getting root canal treatment, where your dentist can carefully remove the damaged nerve, the bacteria, and any rotting matter.

The space in your tooth is specially filled with medicated materials, perfectly bringing the tooth back to its full and normal function. Unlike pulling a tooth, which will require a lot more money and time in the long run to place in a less stable implant, keeping your natural tooth is best for your mouth’s functionality as well as your wallet.

Root Canals to Resolve Cracked Teeth

Sometimes you may find yourself with a cracked or fractured tooth after a particularly intensive athletic game or sport. Alternatively, some of our patients are shocked to discover that their tooth has been chipped or broken simply as they were eating. Regardless of how your tooth got cracked, you may be surprised to find that root canals are a great way to solve these issues. There are multiple types of cracks and fractures, which our knowledgeable dentists are very familiar with.

Some symptoms that you have a cracked tooth include:

• Difficulty describing the exact location of the pain in your mouth
• Heightened sensitivity whenever you eat cold or hot food and drink
• Inexplicable pain when chewing or biting

How Painful Is a Root Canal?

It's not uncommon to be fearful prior to a root canal, especially because it can be considered oral surgery. And while a root canal may conjure up images of scalpels, stiches, and drills, these tools aren't even used during root canal therapy these days.

Instead, your dentist will apply local anesthesia to the area to ensure that you cannot feel any pain and you are comfortable. The actual root canal process is very similar to getting a filling--while you are numb, the endodontist will clean out the decay from the pulp of the tooth, ensure the root is free of bacteria, and then fill the tooth in.

After a root canal, it's common to feel slightly sore or tender, but you can take over-the-counter pain medication, such as Tylenol or Advil to relieve the pain.

Signs You May Need a Root Canal

Here are some signs that may indicate you need a root canal:

1. Persistent Tooth Pain: Severe or persistent toothache, especially when chewing or applying pressure, can be a sign of an infected or inflamed pulp. The pain may vary in intensity but is typically consistent and doesn't easily subside.

2. Sensitivity to Hot and Cold: Increased sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, even after the stimulus is removed, can indicate nerve or pulp damage within the tooth. This sensitivity may linger for an extended period.

3. Swollen Gums: Swelling and tenderness in the gums near the affected tooth can suggest an underlying infection. The area might appear red and swollen, and you may notice a pimple-like bump called a gum boil.

4. Darkening or Discoloration: Discoloration or darkening of a single tooth can indicate that the tooth's nerve tissue is compromised. The tooth may turn gray, brown, or black as a result of internal damage.

5. Prolonged Pain or Sensitivity to Pressure: Pain or discomfort when biting down or applying pressure to the tooth can be indicative of pulp inflammation or infection. This discomfort may last for an extended period.

6. Pimple on the Gums: The presence of a pimple-like bump on the gums near the affected tooth, which may release pus or blood, can suggest the need for a root canal to address an infection.

7. Bad Taste or Odor: A persistent bad taste in the mouth, even after brushing or rinsing, could be due to an infected tooth.

8. Fever: If the infection has spread from the tooth to the surrounding tissues, you may experience fever as your body tries to fight the infection.

It's important to note that not all cases will present all of these signs, and some individuals may experience only a few. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's crucial to schedule an appointment with our Houma dentist as soon as possible. We will exam you to determine whether a root canal or other treatment is necessary to save the tooth and alleviate your symptoms. Early intervention can prevent further complications as well.

Understanding the Importance of Timely Root Canal Treatment

Delaying necessary dental procedures can lead to more severe health issues. When it comes to root canals, acting promptly can save your tooth and prevent further complications. At Houma Family Dental, we emphasize the significance of early intervention. Here are a few reasons why timely root canal treatment is crucial:

• Prevents Tooth Loss: Addressing infection or damage early can help preserve your natural tooth, avoiding the need for extraction.
• Reduces Pain: The sooner you treat a problem, the less discomfort you’ll experience. Early treatment can alleviate pain and restore your quality of life.
• Avoids Complications: Untreated issues can lead to abscesses or further decay, which may complicate your dental health and require more extensive treatments.
• Cost-Effective: Early treatment can be more affordable than waiting until problems escalate, potentially saving you money in the long run.

Our team at Houma Family Dental is dedicated to providing compassionate care and ensuring that you understand the importance of timely treatment. Don't let dental issues linger—schedule your consultation today!

Professionals You Can Count On

Performing a root canal treatment can be quite complex, since there are so many reasons why your tooth could be facing damage. Having one of our professionals at Houma Family Dental is the way to go since our dentists have a lot of experience with treating root canals safely.

Contact us now at (985) 645-2820 so you can get real relief. Learn from the professionals about our Houma root canal treatments.