Root Canal Therapy In Davenport
In most cases, saving a tooth is better than replacing it. Root canal procedures are a cornerstone in dentistry because they allow decayed and damaged teeth to be treated and preserved.
What is a root canal?
Anatomically, the root canal is the chamber that runs through the center of a tooth. The pulp is the soft material within it, and the tooth’s nerve also lies here. In treatment terms, a root canal is the procedure for cleaning out this area of a badly damaged or infected tooth to save it rather than extract it. During a root canal, the nerve and pulp are removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. Without treatment, the tissue surrounding the tooth will become infected and abscesses may form. A tooth’s nerve and pulp can become irritated, inflamed, and infected due to deep decay, repeated dental procedures on a tooth, and/or large fillings, a crack or chip in the tooth, or trauma to the face.
Seven signs that you may need a root canal
Only a dentist can definitively determine if you’re having root canal issues, but there are some common symptoms that will point in that direction. If you think you’re experiencing root canal problems, contact Dague Dental Solutions. Dr. Jolene Dague can assess the situation and start appropriate treatment. Before we get ahead of ourselves, however, let’s take a closer look at the signs:
- Tooth pain that is either constant or subsides but always returns. This is the most common symptom of root canal trouble.
- Intermittent pain that is set off by tooth sensitivity to heat and cold. The ache can be dull or sharp, but it typically persists beyond the point of finishing the triggering food or drink.
- Unexplained changes in the color of a tooth may be related to trouble in the root canal. Darkening can be a sign that injury or infection has damaged the pulp of a tooth.
- Gums that are swollen or have visible abscesses may be reacting to dead or damaged tissues in the root canal of a proximal tooth. The diseased matter will need to be removed to heal the gums. (It is important to note that these same symptoms can indicate the presence of gum disease, which can potentially put multiple teeth at risk. It is imperative to consult a dentist in any case.)
- Pain caused by pressure to the tooth, such as the force associated with eating or brushing. This can indicate severe tooth decay or nerve damage — especially if the sensitivity lingers after the activity has stopped.
- A tooth that has been injured is at increased risk for root canal problems. This is particularly true if the structural integrity of the tooth has been compromised. Bacteria may be able to enter a chipped or cracked tooth, leading to infection in the root canal that must be cleaned out.
- A tooth that feels loose for no known reason may be infected. Acidic bio-waste produced by dying tissues can soften the bone around a tooth, allowing mobility. A root canal will be necessary to clear out the damaged pulp and nerve. (If multiple teeth feel loose, the problem is likely to require more extensive dental work than a root canal. Consult Dr. Dague right away for a treatment recommendation.)
Contact us about root canals
If you are experiencing tooth pain, call Dague Dental Solutions today at (563) 386-9770 or use the contact form on our website to schedule an appointment with Dr. Dague, one of the top dentists in the Quad Cities. She will find the cause and make a treatment recommendation.
Highly Rated Family Dentist in Davenport, Iowa
Dague Dental Solutions is located on , 5335 Eastern Ave, Suite A, Davenport, Iowa. From Quad City International Airport Take 27th St and US-6 W/Hiawatha Pioneer Trl to I-74, Head north on Airportring Rd toward Airport Entrance. turn right onto Airport Entrance, turn right onto 69th Ave/Airport Rd, turn right onto 27th St, turn left onto US-6 W/Hiawatha Pioneer Trl. Follow I-74 to E 53rd St in Davenport. Take exit 1 from I-74, Continue onto I-74 and enter Iowa. Take exit 1 toward E 53rd St, follow E 53rd St to your destination, turn left onto E 53rd St, use any lane to turn right, Turn left, right, then right, and Dague Dental Solutions will be on the left. We’re open Monday-Wednesday 8:30am-5pm, Thursday 8am-4pm • For additional questions, you can call us at (563) 386-9770. Find us on Yelp, Facebook and Instagram.