Emergency Root Canal Treatment is a very misunderstood procedure in the dental industry. Here are 6 facts you should know about Emergency Root Canal Treatment to help you in the future.
Root canal treatment is an endodontic procedure that is necessary when the tooth’s pulp, the soft tissue in the center of the tooth, becomes damaged, inflamed or infected. The procedure helps repair and save an infected or badly damaged tooth. It involves removing the damaged, diseased or dead pulp, cleaning and disinfecting the affected root canal and then filling and sealing the tooth. Often, root canal treatments are done on an emergency basis and as quickly as possible so as to reduce or prevent patient discomfort, distress, and the risk of further complications.
Things To Know About Emergency Root Canal Treatment
1. If you are having severe toothache and/or swelling arising from an inflamed tooth nerve or a dead tooth that has become infected, then you may need an emergency root canal.
If you suffer from dental pain or discomfort and/or gum tissue swelling, then you may need to undergo an emergency root canal procedure to restore your dental and oral health. The pain may be mild, acute, or chronic; or just sharp pain when biting down or lingering irritation after eating hot or cold foods. Any significant dental pain or persistent discomfort can be a symptom of an infection located within the pulp. And while it may seem like a minor problem, it can spread and lead to serious complications if it’s not treated quickly.
The inflammation, infection or damage to the pulp may arise from a variety of potential causes, such as tooth decay, repeated dental treatments on the tooth, faulty dental appliances, chips or cracks on the tooth, trauma to a tooth, and so on. Often, the causative factor – be it decay or trauma – won’t cause sudden discomfort or pain unless it has been developing for some time. In order for significant pain to be felt, the problem needs to have grown somehow. That means if you have a sharp, sudden toothache, it may be an indication of a serious infection that requires immediate care.
Aside from dental pain, there are a number of other symptoms you should look out for which indicate you may need an emergency root canal. Noticeably dark tooth, pinkish protrusion in the gum tissue, pulp tissue seeping out of your tooth, swelling in the gum area of the infected tooth, tenderness or soreness in the mouth – all these are symptoms of an infection in or around the root of the tooth.
If you have a dental abscess or suspect that you have an inflamed tooth nerve, contact your dentist right away. Only a qualified dentist, specifically an endodontist, can determine whether or not a root canal will adequately address your problem. Don’t ignore your need for emergency treatment. The infection can easily spread to the rest of your mouth.
2. Emergency root canal treatment allows you to get rid of your toothache as quickly as possible
An emergency root canal procedure is typically designed to provide patients with immediate relief from pain. If your infection or abscess and swelling are severe and causing you too much pain and discomfort, you may be able to enjoy instant relief from pain if your endodontist can drain the tooth or administer appropriate antibiotics to reduce or eliminate the swelling and pain.
Once the pain has subsided and the tooth has settled, your endodontist can go to the second stage of the treatment – cleaning out the root canal (by removing the pulp tissue, bacteria, toxins organic debris and other irritants) and sealing up the space with a filling material. The second stage of the emergency treatment is pretty much similar to a regular root canal. The difference between an emergency root canal and regular root canal treatment is in how dentists start off the procedure. In an emergency root canal, providing instant relief from dental pain is crucial and is, therefore, prioritized.
3. It is important that you choose an emergency dentist
Although the emergency department of your local hospital may be well-staffed and probably has a dentist available, it’s a good idea to see an emergency dentist who specializes in this procedure. Dental emergencies, particularly those that may require a root canal, show up at the most inopportune times. Emergency dentists are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to handle such dental emergencies whenever they occur.
If you notice any of the above-mentioned symptoms that indicate the need for an emergency root canal, just contact an emergency dentist who offers this procedure. You can explain your symptoms by phone to this dental professional. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your dentist may recommend emergency care or arrange for you to see an endodontist right away.
24-hour dental clinics that offer emergency root canal treatment usually have experienced endodontists on hand in case of emergencies. These dental specialists have extensive knowledge, skills and experience in diagnosing and managing diseases and disorders of the tooth pulp and related conditions. They have what it takes to do a proper assessment and accurate diagnosis of your problem and undertake the right treatment to save your natural teeth.
4. Emergency root canal treatment is relatively painless and complication-free
Contrary to what you might think, an emergency root canal procedure is generally pain-free. Its main goal is, in fact, to provide immediate pain relief. Like any other root canal, it starts with the administration of an appropriate anesthetic – which desensitizes the tooth and its surrounding gum area. A small hole on the biting surface of the affected tooth is used to access the canal and facilitate draining of the infected pulp. Once the rotten soft tissue is removed and an appropriate antibiotic is administered, the acute pain that had necessitated the treatment will go away. So, you can expect a comfortable experience during and after your dental appointment.
5. You can save your tooth and avoid the risk of complications through an emergency root canal procedure
Emergency root canal treatments don’t just provide immediate pain relief, they help restore tooth in such a way that it can last almost as long as its healthy original. Actually, most emergency dentists strive to save your natural teeth whenever possible when carrying out this procedure. By removing deceased tissue and cleaning, disinfecting and sealing the inside of the tooth, your endodontist can preserve your natural tooth and save you from the agony of extraction.
6. An emergency root canal doesn’t have to be expensive
Many endodontic clinics offer emergency out-of-hours service 365 days per year at no extra cost. There are no extra or additional charges when you’re admitted for an emergency root canal. You’ll pay the same amount as you would for a regular root canal.
However, the exact cost for this procedure varies depending on your individual situation and the specific clinic. Please check with your health insurance provider to see if your policy covers emergency dental treatments. A proper quote for an emergency root canal can only be provided following an examination of your specific dental situation.
Aftercare guidelines following an emergency root canal
An emergency root canal is a dental procedure that is performed to help save a tooth that has become infected or inflamed. This procedure can be a lifesaver when it comes to preserving the health of your teeth, but it’s also important to take care of your teeth after the procedure is complete. Aftercare guidelines following an emergency root canal are crucial to ensuring that your tooth heals properly, and that you avoid any unnecessary pain or complications.
One of the most important aftercare guidelines following an emergency root canal is to avoid eating or drinking for a few hours after the procedure is complete. This will help to ensure that the tooth is given enough time to heal and that you avoid any unwanted pain or pressure in the area. Additionally, it’s important to practice good oral hygiene after the procedure is complete. This includes brushing your teeth regularly, flossing every day, and using mouthwash to help keep bacteria at bay.
Another important aftercare guideline following an emergency root canal is to avoid any strenuous physical activity for a few days after the procedure is complete. This will help to ensure that your tooth heals properly and that you avoid any unnecessary pressure or impact on the area. Additionally, it’s important to avoid smoking or using other tobacco products after the procedure is complete. Smoking can increase your risk of infection, and it can also slow down the healing process.
In summary, following the proper aftercare guidelines is essential after an emergency root canal. Be sure to avoid eating or drinking for a few hours after the procedure is complete, practice good oral hygiene, avoid strenuous physical activity for a few days, and avoid smoking or using other tobacco products. By following these guidelines, you can help to ensure that your tooth heals properly and that you avoid any unnecessary pain or complications. Furthermore, it’s important to schedule a follow-up appointment with your dentist to ensure that everything is healing properly and that there are no additional issues that need to be addressed.
Aftercare guidelines following an emergency root canal
An emergency root canal is a dental procedure that is performed to help save a tooth that has become infected or inflamed. This procedure can be a lifesaver when it comes to preserving the health of your teeth, but it’s also important to take care of your teeth after the procedure is complete. Aftercare guidelines following an emergency root canal are crucial to ensuring that your tooth heals properly, and that you avoid any unnecessary pain or complications.
One of the most important aftercare guidelines following an emergency root canal is to avoid eating or drinking for a few hours after the procedure is complete. This will help to ensure that the tooth is given enough time to heal and that you avoid any unwanted pain or pressure in the area. Additionally, it’s important to practice good oral hygiene after the procedure is complete. This includes brushing your teeth regularly, flossing every day, and using mouthwash to help keep bacteria at bay.
Another important aftercare guideline following an emergency root canal is to avoid any strenuous physical activity for a few days after the procedure is complete. This will help to ensure that your tooth heals properly and that you avoid any unnecessary pressure or impact on the area. Additionally, it’s important to avoid smoking or using other tobacco products after the procedure is complete. Smoking can increase your risk of infection, and it can also slow down the healing process.
In summary, following the proper aftercare guidelines is essential after an emergency root canal. Be sure to avoid eating or drinking for a few hours after the procedure is complete, practice good oral hygiene, avoid strenuous physical activity for a few days, and avoid smoking or using other tobacco products. By following these guidelines, you can help to ensure that your tooth heals properly and that you avoid any unnecessary pain or complications. Furthermore, it’s important to schedule a follow-up appointment with your dentist to ensure that everything is healing properly and that there are no additional issues that need to be addressed.
I didn’t even suspect anything until my dentist did a cleaning and asked how I cracked my 2nd premolar. This lead to a crown, bad pain, and an Endodontist referral. I find out the nerve has been dying for a while and my canal is abnormally large. And I seem to have extra nerves because it took 10 shots to numb me completely for the emergency root canal. I was surprised at how easy it was because so many people act like it’s the end of the world. It was boring and the shots hurt a little, but that was it. The only pain I have now is a sore jaw.
Painkillers and antibiotics have been wrecking my digestive system (I have IBS) and I miss food! But at least I found out and fixed it before an extraction or something nastier happened.
All because of a jelly bean…I’ll never trust them again.
A root canal doesn’t usually hurt that much, since, as you said, you’re heavily numbed. What hurts is the pain leading up to it, especially since many Americans can’t afford dropping $1200 on the spot and go weeks or months without treatment. I’ve had multiple surgeries and yet the worst pain I have ever felt in my life was from an abscessed tooth.