If you have a tooth that hurts, your first thought might be to have the tooth removed. Don’t do it, because then you will be faced with an incomplete smile, or replacing the tooth with a dental appliance or implant. Instead of removing the tooth, you can eliminate your tooth pain and keep the tooth, thanks to root canal therapy. Dr. Robert DiGiorgio at Downtown Parker Dental in Parker, CO, offers root canal treatment that can save your smile.

How do you know if you need a root canal? The truth is, you may not feel any pain and still need a root canal. Common non-painful signs you might need a root canal include:

• A tooth becoming darker or grayer than the teeth next to it
• A red or white bump appearing on your gums next to a tooth root
• Drainage which can include blood or pus coming from the bump on your gums

Usually you will have some painful symptoms that indicate the need for a root canal. You need to pay attention to:

• Pain that increases when a tooth is exposed to hot or cold foods or beverages
• Acute, sharp pain when you bite down or chew
• Increasing pain even after a filling or crown are placed
• Chronic throbbing, aching tooth pain

When you experience the signs and symptoms listed above, it means the innermost layer of your tooth, known as the pulp, has been bruised, damaged, or is infected. The pulp is where the blood supply and nerves to the tooth are located. When the pulp is damaged, inflammation starts. Fluid builds up inside your tooth, causing pressure and pain.

During root canal treatment, your dentist will create a small opening in the top of your tooth and remove the diseased tissue through the opening. He will place a sedative material inside your tooth to allow the inflammation and fluid to resolve. After your symptoms are gone, he will remove the sedative material and fill your tooth with an inert material. The last step is closing the opening with a small filling. Your root canal is complete, your symptoms are gone, and you still have your tooth.

A root canal can save your tooth and your smile. To find out more about the benefits of root canal therapy and other dental services, call your dentist, Dr. Robert DiGiorgio, at Downtown Parker Dental in Parker, CO, today!