A root canal is one of the most common emergency dental procedures. It’s used to treat a badly infected tooth or a large cavity and prevent a permanent extraction.
But how do you know if that toothache really needs a root canal? How is an emergency root canal done? Find out the answers in this short blog post!
A tooth infection or large cavity isn’t like most toothaches. They can present with intense symptoms that keep you up at night and even prevent you from eating or concentrating on your daily activities.
Some signs you may need an emergency root canal include:
In severe cases, a tooth infection can also spread to nearby tissues, such as the gums or jawbone, or cause a fever.
It’s crucial to treat an infected tooth right away. With time, the bacteria inside continue to multiply and spread, which increases your risk of losing the tooth permanently.
Moreover, the infection can lead to sepsis, a life-threatening complication that requires immediate medical attention.
Here are the basic steps for an emergency root canal:
Most root canals are done in one visit, but it depends on the size of the infection. Sometimes, a large infection could mean patients need a few days of antibiotic therapy first and then a root canal.
In these cases, the local anesthetic won’t take effect, and patients would be in too much pain to sit through the procedure. Splitting the treatment into multiple visits is much more effective and comfortable for the patient.
If you’re experiencing the signs of a tooth infection, let Dr. Jamie Knox or Dr. Lisa Ding remove your discomfort and treat your tooth with root canals performed with a caring touch.
Request an appointment at Smiles of Bulverde online or call us at (210) 907-8666 to find out more about our services and how we can help.
At Smiles of Bulverde, we believe emergency care should be accessible. The cost depends on which tooth is affected and the complexity of the infection. We work with most PPO insurance plans and offer financing through CareCredit to ensure you can get the treatment you need without delay.
Most patients can return to their normal routine the next day. While you may feel some tenderness or "bruising" around the tooth for a few days, this is easily managed with over the counter pain relievers. We recommend avoiding hard or crunchy foods until your permanent dental crown is placed to protect the weakened tooth.
If left untreated, a tooth infection will not go away on its own. The bacteria will eventually destroy the tooth's root and the surrounding jawbone, leading to tooth loss. In severe cases, the infection can enter the bloodstream or spread to the neck and brain, which can become a life threatening medical emergency.
Antibiotics can help reduce the swelling and kill some bacteria in the surrounding tissue, but they cannot cure a root canal infection. Because there is no blood flow to the center of an infected tooth, the medicine cannot reach the bacteria inside. A root canal is the only way to physically remove the source of the infection and save the tooth.
Many people believe root canals are painful, but the procedure actually relieves pain. The intense discomfort you feel is caused by the infection pressing on the tooth's nerve. During the procedure, we use local anesthesia to completely numb the area. Most patients feel immediate relief as soon as the infected tissue is removed.
A toothache is considered a dental emergency if the pain is constant, throbbing, or keeps you awake at night. Other "red flag" symptoms include swelling in the gums or face, a fever, or a persistent pimple-like bump on the gums (an abscess). If you experience these, call Smiles of Bulverde immediately to prevent the infection from spreading.
