What your dentists in Fenton, Missouri want you to know
If you have a tooth that hurts, it may be a sign that you need root canal treatment. A root canal, also called an endodontic procedure, is a great way to eliminate dental pain but still enable you to keep your tooth. Dr. Thomas Kemlage and Dr. Andrew Kemlage at Kemlage Family Dentistry in Fenton, Missouri want to share what you need to know about root canal treatment.
These are just a few of the reasons why you should try to keep your tooth:
- Going without the tooth can cause you to lose bone support
- Going without the tooth can cause biting and chewing problems
So how do you know if you need a root canal? There are several signs and symptoms to look for including:
- Drainage or pus near the root of a tooth
- Swelling and redness around a tooth
- Throbbing pain that doesn’t resolve
- Sharp pain when you eat hot or cold foods
- Pain that radiates into your face or jaws
If you notice these signs or symptoms, you should seek out your dentists in Fenton, Missouri. They will perform temperature and vitality tests and take digital x-rays to determine if your tooth shows evidence of needing a root canal.
If you do need a root canal, your dentists will begin by opening a small hole in the top of your affected tooth. The infected and diseased tissue is drawn out through the opening and a calming, sedative material is placed inside the tooth. After a healing period and the pain and pressure are gone, the sedative is removed and replaced with a permanent inert material. As a final step, the hole is filled in with a small restoration or a dental crown is placed to protect the tooth.
Root canal treatment is the solution to eliminating dental pain without sacrificing your tooth. For more information about root canal treatment and other dental services, call Dr. Thomas Kemlage and Dr. Andrew Kemlage at Kemlage Family Dentistry in Fenton, Missouri today!