Although many patients with cavities need a root canal, not every patient with a cavity or tooth decay needs root canal treatment. Patients with smaller cavities will often just need a dental cleaning and filling. We recommend root canals for patients who have infected dental pulp. The dental pulp comprises all the cells, nerves, and blood vessels within the tooth. Dental pulp keeps the tooth alive. If the pulp is infected, patients risk losing their natural tooth. Many patients can lose their permanent teeth if they do not treat symptoms of tooth decay early. Here you can learn how a root canal can preserve your teeth in our Arlington Heights, IL office. We offer root canals as preventative care against tooth loss and the spread of tooth decay.
Signs of a Dental Infection
There are certain common symptoms to look out for when it comes to tooth decay:
- Persistent tooth pain and toothaches
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Holes or pits in teeth (cavities)
- Tooth sensitivity to temperature
- Pain when biting and chewing
Please contact our office if you have any of these symptoms, and we will help you find the right treatment to meet your needs. Our team is dedicated to preventing tooth loss and preserving as much of natural teeth as possible.
What Happens During a Root Canal in Arlington Heights, IL?
We always use a local anesthetic to numb the treated tooth and surrounding area. Our dentists also offer dental sedation for special needs patients, patients with dental fear, or patients with a severe gag reflex. We ensure that patients feel comfortable throughout their treatment.
To begin root canal treatment, we access the tooth chamber by making a small hole in the tooth. We remove the infected dental pulp from the tooth chamber. Then, we clean and disinfect the tooth. Once the tooth chamber is clean, we fill the tooth with a dental filling. The dental filling is a tooth-colored composite material that blends with the smile.
Sometimes, we recommend dental crowns for patients after their root canal treatment. Dental crowns are porcelain ceramic caps that fully cover teeth. We recommend crowns for patients who have weakened and worn teeth. Patients with tooth damage due to dental infection or injury benefit from crowns. Porcelain ceramic crowns also blend in with the color of natural teeth.
Have you noticed changes in your oral health? Do you have one or more cavities? Call Dr. Brent Engelberg and his team at AH Smiles today at (847) 230-9703. You can also request a dental appointment on our website. Please let our team know if you have any questions about your symptoms or root canal treatment. We are here to help.