Find out why your dentist may recommend getting root canal treatment.

It isn’t always easy to tell whether or not you need a root canal, just as it isn’t always easy to tell that you need a dental filling. Luckily, our Eastpointe, MI, dentist Dr. Peter Jost is able to spot these problems right away during routine checkups to make sure that you get the immediate care you need.

Why is a root canal necessary?

A root canal is a commonly performed endodontic procedure that is designed to fix and save natural teeth that are damaged, infected or severely decayed. Under the enamel and dentin layers of a tooth lie the pulp and root canals.

The pulp is made up of nerves and blood vessels, and when bacteria or an injury damage the pulp it causes an infection or inflammation. Once this happens, the only way to repair the tooth is for our Eastpointe, MI, family dentist to remove the dental pulp.

You may need a root canal if,

• You have severe decay and a dental filling can’t fully support what’s left of the tooth
• You have a dental infection
• You have a chipped or cracked tooth
• You experienced a traumatic blow or injury to a tooth

What are the warning signs?

When your tooth is in distress, often times you will know it. Once decay or an injury has left the dental pulp infected or damaged the most common signs include,

• A severe, persistent toothache that may get worse when biting or chewing
• Sudden lingering sensitivity to hot or cold
• A dark or discolored tooth (a sign that the tissue inside the tooth is dying)
• Swollen, inflamed gums around the affected tooth
• An abscess (a bump on the gums that resembles a pimple)

If you suspect that you might have an inflamed or infected dental pulp, don’t panic. A root canal can often solve the problem. It’s just important that you seek immediate dental care when you need it. A root canal is a minimally invasive and painless procedure that will save your natural tooth.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, our Eastpointe, MI, family dentist and his team will only be providing dental care to patients dealing with urgent matters. If you are dealing with a toothache or other warning signs that you may need a root canal, please call us at (586) 771-1460. In the meantime, stay healthy and safe and we hope to see everyone again soon.