Root Canal Procedures: How DoYou Know You Need One

A tooth needing a root canal procedure can be extremely painful. You may have a deep infection. Call our offices today!

Pain while chewing? Temperature sensitivity? We’ve all been there. Having a problem tooth can distract you from the things in your life that are important. Frequent dental visits prevent tooth infections, but if it’s already too late a root canal procedure could be necessary. Be sure to visit your dentist if experiencing any of these signs or symptoms.

PROTECT YOUR ROOTS!

When a cavities’ infection runs deep, it will start to eat through the root of your tooth. The root itself will then become infected. A procedure called a root canal is required to keep the infection from causing permanent damage. The pulp, or inner core, of the tooth, may be infected as well, in which case, a root canal procedure will clear all affected areas and then clean and seal the tooth. Nerves and blood vessels encompass the pulp and must be removed as well if the infection is bad enough. A tooth’s nerve is not vitally important to its function. It really only helps you sense heat and cold. Therefore, the removal of the pulp does not affect dental functioning.

PAINFUL SIGNS

Signs of infections severe enough to require a root canal procedure are going to be extremely painful. As most infections are often pain inducing, the specific types of searing oral misfortune are as follows.

• Serious discomfort when chewing or applying pressure to the problem tooth

• Sensitivity to hot or cold that will often linger once temperature degrees are removed

• Discoloration, or darkening of the problem tooth

• Painful bumps or cysts forming around the problem tooth closer to the main area of discomfort

• Swelling, bleeding, or tenderness of the gums surrounds the problem tooth

THE PROCEDURE

The procedure itself is much quicker and far less painful than the root infection itself. Don’t worry! The tooth will be numbed first, so you won’t have to worry about crying out in discomfort during the procedure. Root canals sound scary, but you’ll feel so much better afterward. Neglecting a root canal is far more frightening. Once the tooth is numbed, an opening is created through the crown of the tooth to the pulp chamber. Special tools are then used to clean the pulp infection and canals. The canals and pulp chamber are filled with a permanent material called ‘gutta-percha.’ It will create a barrier so that further infection cannot occur. A temporary filling is used to cap the tooth off and receives a permanent crown so the internal structures cannot be penetrated. Once all of this is finished, the risk of infection is a thing of the past. Your pain and suffering will be over!

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTERWARD

The problem tooth area may be tender afterward, so it’s best to keep pressure off it for a while. Practice chewing on the other side of your mouth. This will avoid recontaminating the tooth or breakage post procedure. If the tenderness becomes too much, taking over-the-counter painkillers will reduce your pain. It should only feel sore for a couple days. If pain persists call mmediately, 301-740-2686, Dr. Fatemi

THINK YOU NEED A ROOT CANAL PROCEDURE? CALL FATEMI FAMILY DENTISTRY

Call Fatemi Family Dentistry. Located in Gaithersburg and Lexington Park our experienced dental professionals have the skills and tools necessary to determine if you should have your wisdom teeth pulled. And if you do, we can perform the procedure quickly and painlessly, getting your mouth back in shape and you back on your feet.

Call Fatemi Family Dentistry today at 301-740-2686

Dr. Ali Fatemi in Gaithersburg and Lexington Park, MD, knows his patients want to have better-looking smiles. For that reason, he suggests dental veneers.

Veneers are used to resurface an individual's teeth, especially if they're damaged.

Here are some things veneers can help with:

• Stained teeth or discolored, due to poor hygiene, drinking coffee and tea, smoking, chewing tobacco or even antibiotics containing tetracycline.
• Mishappened teeth, which includes: crooked, worn or chipped teeth, irregularly shaped teeth, uneven surfaces and uneven spacing, like overcrowdedness.

When you come into the Gaithersburg and Lexington Park office, your doctor will examine your teeth and assess whether veneers are right for you. Any underlying issues, like cavities, will need to be resolved first. Your dentist will remove some enamel from the surface of your teeth, then a model of your teeth will be sent to a lab where a custom set of veneers matching the color of your teeth will be made for you.

When your veneers finally arrive, the dentist will then cement the veneers. Because your dentist removes some enamel, which is an irreversible process, and because veneers are made out of thin porcelain or plastic, you won't feel like your teeth are protruding. On the contrary, they will feel smooth, even and properly aligned with the rest of your teeth.

In order to take proper care of your veneers, you need to brush twice a day and floss at least once before bed. It's important to prevent the buildup of plaque, which may result in cavities and other serious issues.

For more information on veneers, contact your dentist in Gaithersburg and Lexington Park, MD. Dr. Ali Fatemi will be more than happy to help you with your dental needs!