In certain situations, you may need a procedure called a root canal. The treatment is often the only alternative to having the tooth extracted and is an effective, quick and standard procedure.
Root canal treatment is a process during which the dentist removes the nerves and pulp from the interior of a diseased or badly infected tooth. The tooth is then thoroughly cleaned and sealed in order to prevent any re-infection occurring.
Some early warning signs that something may be amiss with a tooth's interior include:
- Cracked or chipped teeth which may allow infections to penetrate through to the inner core
- Mild to severely sensitive teeth often indicate the presence of infection or decay
- Pain or swelling around base of a tooth or on the underlying gum
A discoloured tooth is one of the top signs that root canal treatment may be necessary as the discolouration is often due to dead or infected nerve tissue within the tooth.
The amount of discolouration can vary from a light grey to black but, whatever the shade, it is always an indication of a problem with the tooth and should be brought to the attention of your dentist without delay.
Root canal treatment is always preferable to an extraction and you can find out more at https://yourdentalhealthresource.com/top-signs-you-may-need-a-root-canal/