When you’ve got a severe toothache that won’t go away after a few days, visit your emergency dentist in 75062 — and make it ASAP. A persistent toothache indicates an infection that could spread to other parts of the body, putting your overall health at risk.
When you visit our office with an emergency toothache, we will evaluate your options. If you reach us in time, the tooth can usually be saved with a root canal. This is far preferable to a tooth extraction — while our options in tooth replacement have gotten far better over the years, there is nothing as good as your natural tooth.
However, there are some cases when a tooth just has to go. If extraction is the best recommendation for your smile, we will begin discussing your options in replacement immediately if necessary to ensure you do not have to spend any extra time with missing teeth.
What Is a Root Canal?
A root canal is an oral procedure your dentist may recommend to rescue a severely decayed or damaged tooth. In it, the aching tooth is completely cleaned out, refilled with a biocompatible material, and then restored with a dental crown or filling. Most root canals are completed over the course of two visits to our office.
While the words “root canal” strike fear in many hearts, there is actually nothing to fear from this procedure. After we get your jaw numb, the only uncomfortable thing you’ll likely feel is a little bit of boredom waiting for the procedure to be over. Root canals have become so routine that, if you need a one, that’s actually great news — it means your tooth can be rescued from extraction! Many teeth that are treated with a root canal last for a lifetime afterward.
When Extractions Are Necessary
However, there are some situations in which a tooth extraction is necessary for your oral and overall health. This is often the case for wisdom teeth, or the third molars that may emerge during late adolescence. Wisdom teeth often come in at an angle or do not emerge fully, placing pressure on the surrounding teeth.
Also, a tooth that is just too infected may not be salvageable with a root canal. Only when your dentist is sure that it cannot be rescued with restorative dentistry first will an extraction be recommended for a damaged tooth.
Don’t Wait to Call Your Emergency Dentist!
The next time you have an aching tooth, don’t wait to get in touch with your trusted dentist. Getting treatment right away will greatly increase the chances that the tooth can be rescued with effective root canal therapy. And having all of your natural teeth for a lifetime is worth a lot! We want to help you enjoy just that with high-quality general and restorative dentistry.
About the Practice
Daily Smiles MacArthur offers comprehensive dental care for friends and families in and around Irving. To get in touch with your general, restorative, or cosmetic dentist in 75062, you are invited to contact the practice by calling 972-546-4114 today!