Root Canals
What is a Root Canal? Underneath your tooth’s outer enamel and within the dentin is an area of soft tissue called the pulp, which carries the tooth’s nerves, veins, arteries and lymph vessels. Tooth canals are very small, thin divisions that branch off from the top pulp chamber down to the tip of the root. A tooth has at least one but no more than four root canals. Why do I feel pain? When the pulp becomes infected due to a deep cavity or fracture that allows bacteria to seep in, or injury due to trauma, it can die. Damaged or dead pulp causes increased blood flow and cellular...
Read MoreEmergency – Tooth-ache Therapy
What do I do if I have a toothache? Tooth pain typically comes from “cavities” or decay. If your tooth pain is waking you up at night, or if it hurts without eating or drinking, then endodontics or root canal therapy will be necessary. When a large cavity grows into a tooth, it irritates the nerve (or pulp) inside. Sometimes the bacteria will even invade the pulp tissue itself. This causes the pain. Root canal therapy, which takes the nerve out of the tooth, eliminates the pain. Even though you may associate pain with “root canal”, it is usually the therapy that makes the pain go...
Read MoreEmergency – Repair of Broken Tooth
What is a Dental Emergency? Injuries to the mouth may include teeth that are knocked out (avulsed), forced out of position and loosened (extruded) or fractured. In addition, lips, gums or cheeks are often cur. Oral injuries are often painful and should be treated by a dentist as soon as possible. How soon should I see a dentist? Immediately. Getting to a dentist within 30 minutes can make the difference between saving or losing a tooth. When a tooth is knocked out: Immediately call your dentist for an emergency appointment. Handle the tooth by the crown, not the root. Touching...
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