When you visit a dentist because of extreme pain but no infection in the mouth, you may have a root canal infection. The dentist may then prescribe a root canal or endodontic treatment to address the issue.

A root canal is a procedure in which the pulp of a tooth is removed, and the tooth is filled with a medicated substance to promote healing. It is a minimally invasive procedure that can save your natural tooth. A root canal can be performed on any of your molars or premolars to keep your teeth healthy and free of discomfort. 

WHAT CAUSES ROOT CANAL INFECTION?

Root canal infection is caused either by decay or trauma to the mouth. When bacteria enter the pulp, they begin to multiply and spread, causing an infection. The patient may experience severe pain, swelling, and sensitivity to heat and cold while eating. A root canal procedure can help prevent further damage to the affected tooth and relieve the pain.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF AN INFECTED TOOTH?

The symptoms of an infected tooth are:

• Pain, along with tenderness and swelling of the gums
• Infection-caused gum tissue is bright red in color
• A sensation of pain while chewing
• Extensive discoloration or darkening of the gum 
• Yellow or brown color between the gums and teeth
• Excessive bleeding from the gums
• Tooth abscess
• Bad breath

HOW IS ROOT CANAL THERAPY PERFORMED?

When you visit our dental practice for a root canal procedure, we will thoroughly examine your mouth and discuss your treatment options. We will also look for any signs of infection like swelling and tenderness in the gums. If we notice any signs of infection, we may recommend antibiotics to treat it. After assessing your condition, we will make a small hole in your tooth to access the pulp chamber. We will use dental tools like files or ultrasonic tips to remove the infected substances from the pulp chamber. We will also remove the decayed tissues through this process. After removing them completely, we will clean your tooth and fill it with a filling material that promotes healing. Later on, we will place a crown on it to protect it from damage and restore its function.

WHAT ARE ITS BENEFITS?

A root canal treatment has several benefits, such as:

• It prevents further damage to the tooth
• It relieves pain
• It helps to prevent abscesses
• It helps to prevent tooth loss
• It restores oral functionality

To learn more, visit us at Helena, MT or call us at (406) 443-6160 to schedule an appointment with the dentist and we will be happy to help.