Most people know that they need to have their teeth checked regularly by a dentist in order to maintain good oral health. What most people don’t know, however, is when an emergency root canal might be necessary. In this article, we’ll discuss what causes tooth pain and discomfort, how you can tell if you need to see your dentist about an emergency root canal, when an emergency root canal really is necessary or if your dentist can wait until your next visit to help you relieve the pain you’re feeling in your mouth.
Signs of Severe Tooth Pain
Tooth pain is a common indicator of something wrong with your teeth. It can result from tooth decay, abscesses, cavities, or other dental issues. A severe toothache should be addressed immediately by calling your dentist. If you are experiencing extreme pain while eating, it could be a sign that there is a serious infection in your mouth and you should seek emergency care immediately. While no one wants to have their tooth pulled, having an emergency root canal done to save a decaying tooth may actually keep more teeth from being extracted down the road. When deciding whether or not to go through with an emergency root canal treatment, consider these factors
Why Get Emergency Treatment
When it comes to something as important as your teeth, you want to make sure you’re getting quick treatment. While any tooth pain should be examined by a dentist, there are some telltale signs that you may need to get treatment immediately. If a tooth is knocked out or cracked, or if you experience severe pain in one of your teeth, especially in combination with swelling and/or pus discharge, it’s time to call us right away. These symptoms can indicate serious problems including fractures or other damage that will only worsen without immediate care. That’s why we offer emergency appointments 7 days a week at Taggart Family Dentistry; when your smile is on the line there’s no room for the delay!
How Much Does an Emergency Root Canal Cost?
The cost of a root canal will vary depending on where you live, who is performing it, and other factors. On average, however, you can expect to pay about $400 for your first visit (this doesn’t include any x-rays or lab work) and about $300 for your second visit. This brings us to an important point: if you have sudden pain in one of your teeth, don’t try to treat it yourself with over-the-counter medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen. Because they mask the pain rather than treat a cause, they may actually increase pressure inside your tooth. While occasional use is fine, you should always check with a dentist before taking long-term doses of these kinds of medicines around open wounds in your mouth.
What to Expect During the Procedure
An emergency root canal is normally a quick procedure that takes less than two hours to complete. However, that doesn’t mean you should schedule it before a big meeting or event; some discomfort is normal and if you need it done quickly, there could be some pain involved. However, since only small parts of your mouth are numbed during treatment, you’ll likely feel much of what’s going on during your root canal. The dentist will begin by numbing up just your gums with some local anesthesia before drilling down into your tooth and removing any problematic areas inside. For example, if all goes well, he or she may need to remove part of a cracked tooth or scrape away some infected tissue from a deep cavity.
How Long Will I be in the Dentist Chair?
A root canal is a procedure that can help save your tooth and prevent further dental issues if you catch it early enough. Once decay reaches all of your teeth, in which there is still something left to save, it’s considered hopeless. This can be avoided by getting regular checkups and performing proper at-home oral care. At some point, though, your efforts will become futile—and at that point, you need to head in for a root canal to stop pain and decay from getting worse. It won’t work every time, but failing to act could make things much worse down the road. So how do you know when it’s time for a root canal? Here are some signs that show you may need one immediately
Afterward, What Can I Expect from My Toothache?
After an emergency root canal, it’s normal to experience intense pain and sensitivity in your tooth. If you have a dental plan, it should cover some of your pain management expenses. Your dentist will likely administer Novocain (or a similar medication) and place a temporary filling or cap over your tooth until you can return for permanent treatment. The treatment is generally quick and doesn’t require any special preparations before going to sleep; after getting your teeth cleaned, bring some Tylenol or Advil with you if you experience discomfort overnight.
