Your teeth may get infected because of many factors – poor oral care, consumption of sugary foods and drinks, skipping dental cleaning sessions, to name a few. When the infection reaches your tooth pulp, the condition becomes worse. You may need to visit us for a root canal treatment.

Root canal treatment relieves pain caused as a result of infected or abscessed teeth. A root canal surgery protects your teeth from extraction and prevents further infection.

What are the Symptoms of Infected Tooth Pulp?

  • You will experience severe tooth pain that doesn’t go away with time. The discomfort also radiates to your face, jaw, and other teeth.
  • If you feel extremely sensitive to hot and cold foods, your tooth pulp may be infected, and you may need a root canal treatment.
  • Swollen gums or blisters on the gums also suggest that your tooth pulp is inflamed.
  • When the tooth pulp becomes infected, it also causes your teeth to look darker than before.
  • You may experience pain when applying pressure to your teeth, such as while biting or chewing.
  • In some cases, loose teeth, chipped or cracked teeth also suggest that your tooth pulp may be infected.

What Happens During Root Canal Treatment?

Before starting the procedure, we will conduct your dental examination and take X-rays of the affected teeth to check the severity of the infection. You will be given a local anesthetic to numb the infected area and avoid pain or discomfort during the procedure. We will also place a small rubber dental dam on the site of treatment to isolate it from the other parts of your mouth and keep it dry.

A small incision will be made in the crown of your teeth to access the pulp. Using dental instruments, we will remove the infected pulp and clean the chamber and root canal. We will also disinfect the area and prepare your teeth for filling.

A rubbery, flexible material called gutta-percha will be used to fill the canals, followed by sealing the teeth using a temporary dental filling. This step ensures that the bacteria doesn’t re-enter the site of surgery. The treatment will be completed by placing a dental crown to protect your teeth and restore their functionality and appearance.

What Happens After Root Canal Surgery?

You may experience pain and sensitivity for a few days after the surgery. We will prescribe you painkillers and antibiotics to deal with the pain. If you experience swelling, use an ice pack to relieve it. Rinse your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash and consume soft foods for a few days after the surgery or until you recover.

To find out more about the dental services offered at Madison Park Dental, call (208) 356-5601 or schedule an online consultation. You can also visit us at 345 N. 2ND E., Suite 2, Rexburg, ID 83440.