Emergency Root Canal Therapy for Tooth Pain in Creve Coeur, MO
When you have severe tooth decay, you’re at risk of losing your tooth entirely. Our goal at Creve Coeur Dental is to help you avoid that by providing swift intervention. Root canal treatment can preserve your natural tooth so that it doesn’t have to be extracted and replaced with a dental restoration. Our modern techniques are effective, and we’ll do everything possible to ease your anxiety and ensure your comfort throughout. If you’re suffering from tooth pain and sensitivity, jaw pain, headaches, bad breath, or other symptoms of severe dental cavities, call us now to schedule an appointment for a root canal in Creve Coeur, MO.
Signs You Need an Emergency Root Canal
Ignoring a dental cavity can be incredibly risky and increase your chances of a dental emergency like severe infection, intense pain, and tooth loss. As soon as you notice symptoms of tooth decay, schedule an appointment with us for an exam and x-rays. Call now if you have:
- Persistent, extreme, or worsening tooth pain
- Increasing tooth sensitivity to hot, cold, or pressure
- Fever and/or chills combined with tooth pain
- Swelling of your gums, face, jaw, or neck
- Bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
- Pus or discharge from your tooth or gums
- A cracked or broken tooth
- Tooth discoloration, or a gray or black tooth
Benefits of Visiting a Root Canal Specialist
Root canal therapy is the only alternative to a tooth extraction. When you get treatment quickly enough, we can preserve your tooth and restore it with a filling and dental crown, which is a faster and easier process. Some of the benefits of visiting our root canal specialist are:
- Extensive experience in tooth preservation, infection control, and diagnosing tooth pain
- Use of modern, effective methods of treatment and advanced technology with a high success rate
- Emergency dental care experience to address urgent issues quickly and prevent complications
- Preservation of your natural tooth so that you can avoid extraction
- Ability to handle complex cases
- Personalized pain management and use of sedation dentistry to ensure a comfortable, stress-free experience
Understanding and Preparing for a Root Canal Procedure
Dr. Dubina, our experienced and compassionate root canal dentist, will go over the procedure in full so that you know exactly what to expect from a root canal, before and after treatment. Before treatment, we will perform a dental exam and take dental x-rays. Then we will administer anesthetic to ensure your comfort and safety. During the root canal procedure, Dr. Dubina will clean out all infected dental pulp in the interior chamber of your tooth. He will then disinfect the chamber and use a dental putty to fill the hole. To protect the strength and function of the tooth, he will place a temporary or permanent dental crown.
Proper Aftercare & Recovery Tips for Root Canal Pain Relief
After treatment, you will be given personalized instructions for reducing pain and protecting your tooth as it heals. Following these instructions carefully can help you avoid complications like infection. Please call our office if you have any questions or concerns after treatment. The best way to ensure a safe, healthy recovery post-root canal is to:
- Avoid smoking or drinking alcohol.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Stick to soft foods and avoid hot and cold foods and beverages.
- Avoid using a straw.
- Sleep with your head elevated.
- Use ice packs or a bag of frozen peas to address pain and swelling
- Take any prescription medications as recommended.
- Use an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory for pain and inflammation.
- Rinse twice per day with an antibacterial mouthwash.
- Do not chew directly on the treated tooth.
- Brush after each meal.
Call Now to Make an Appointment for a Dental Exam
Our team at Creve Coeur Dental will work quickly to address urgent issues like tooth pain, signs of infection, and tooth damage. Dr. Dubina and our staff do everything possible to ensure a comfortable experience so that you can get the care and attention you need without stress. Our office offers soothing amenities such as in-room television monitors to watch your favorite programs, or easy listening music to help you feel relaxed and at home. If you need root canal therapy, call us now or contact us online to schedule your appointment for a dental exam in Creve Coeur, MO, or the St. Louis area.
FAQs About Root Canals
Dental decay can progress without causing persistent tooth pain. If your dentist diagnoses significant decay or dental cavities, they will recommend a root canal. That is why it is so important to visit your dentist twice per year for an exam. Early intervention can save your tooth and help you avoid pain and other complications. We administer anesthesia to ensure your treatment is not painful. In fact, the procedure will actually relieve pain caused by an infection. Like any medical procedure, a root canal has risks. However, side effects are mild and rare. Some people may experience tooth fracture, tooth sensitivity, tooth discoloration, or infection. A root canal is a curative treatment that addresses decay, infection, and damage and saves your tooth. A dental implant is a restorative treatment that replaces one or more missing teeth. You may need an implant if you don’t get a root canal. Minor cavities can typically be treated by removing the decayed material and using a dental filling or crown to restore the function and structure of the tooth. A root canal may be necessary for extensive decay or damage, or a deep infection that has reached the dental pulp and/or tooth root. A root canal treats the inside of a decayed and infected tooth by removing the damaged pulp and filling the tooth with putty. A dental crown is a restorative dental procedure that uses a cap-shaped crown to restore and protect the chewing surface of a tooth after damage or decay. A crown is typically placed after a root canal. A dental filling is a metal or composite material inserted into the outer layer of the teeth to fill holes or damage caused by decay. It can be used for minor cavities and damage. A root canal treats deep, extensive decay that is in the inner chambers of the tooth. A filling is used after decayed material is removed and the chamber is disinfected.