If you have a toothache that lasts for several days, it’s important you schedule an appointment with us as soon as possible. Our emergency dentist in Holland, MI will be able to examine your teeth and gums. They will also take dental X-rays to determine if you need an emergency root canal.
If an oral infection is deep enough to penetrate the pulp, the living tissue inside your tooth, you’ll need root canal therapy. A root canal is often a last-resort effort to save a tooth. Dental pulp can be infected by:
- Deep tooth decay
- Traumatic dental injury
- Tooth cracks and chips
- Large fillings
- Too many dental procedures done on the same tooth
Signs You Need a Root Canal
Now, you may not show until it is too late. This is why it’s important to see your dentist for an oral exam every six months. Call our office right away if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Severe toothache
- Darkening of tooth
- Pimple on gums
- Prolonged tooth sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
- Swollen tender gums, especially near the affected tooth
How Root Canals Work
After injecting local anesthesia to numb your tooth, our dentist may put a small sheet of rubber around the tooth called a dental dam. Since the inside of your tooth is infected, it makes sense that our dentist would want to keep your tooth dry and clean during the dental procedure.
Next, our family dentist will access the top of the tooth to remove diseased dental pulp, bacteria, and other debris. Our dentist will then use small files to shape the inside of your tooth, as well as reshape the tooth root.
Our dentist will fill your tooth with a special material called gutta-percha once the inside of the tooth is clean and dry. Next, they will cover the tooth with a temporary filling. Our Holland dentist can place the final crown or filling at the same visit, only rarely do we have to use a temporary filling.
At your next appointment, we will place a permanent root canal crown to restore your tooth to its original strength and appearance.
Schedule an Appointment
Our dentist in Holland, MI has experience saving teeth after dental pulp has been infected. If you have a severe toothache and need to schedule an appointment with our emergency dentist, call Macatawa Smiles (616) 396-7524, or contact us online.
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