Symptoms of an Infected Root Canal

How do you know if you might need a root canal treatment? The following are some of the most common symptoms of an infected tooth:

  • Tenderness at the bottom of the root
  • Pain in response to heat and cold that lasts several minutes
  • A tooth that hurts to bite on
  • Spontaneous pain from no apparent trigger
  • Chronic bad breath or a foul taste in mouth
  • Pimple-like sore on the gums
  • Tooth darkens
  • Fever

Many people think pain is the main symptom of an infected tooth, but it doesn’t always hurt. Sometimes it hurts, then the pain stops because the affected nerve has died, which means that the condition is more serious, not less.

Our Root Canal Procedure

Keeping you comfortable

We know many people think it will be bad, but it doesn’t cause pain so much as it provides relief from the pain of an infected tooth.

We will use a local anesthetic to keep you comfortable during the treatment, and for patients who are a bit more anxious, we offer oral sedation. We have advanced anesthesia tools, like Anutra and the needle-free Wand to make it more comfortable to get anesthetized. In addition to sedation, we have drug-free relaxation with NuCalm.

Ultrasonic for faster, more efficient cleaning

After you have been properly anesthetized, Dr. Grimshaw will gently remove the damaged nerve and pulp, thoroughly clean the inside of the root canal and fill it with a natural polymer.

We use ultrasonic instruments in conjunction with hand tools to gently and thoroughly clean the diseased root canal. Ultrasonic instruments have the advantage of an air stream that blows away dental debris and provides increased visibility. Better visibility and high magnification allow us to find small canals that also need treatment.

CEREC Crowns = One Visit

After root canal therapy has been completed, it is usually necessary to place a crown over the tooth for protection. With our CEREC system, we can design, mill and fabricate your new porcelain crown in about an hour. Your entire procedure will be completed in one office visit; you won’t need a temporary crown or a second appointment.

Root canal therapy treats a tooth that is infected or vulnerable to infection (1). We open the tooth to access its interior (2). We remove the pulp and nerve tissue and clean the tooth’s interior (3). Then we fill the tooth with inert material to seal it, and place a crown for strength, beauty, and protection (4).

$99 New Patient Special Offer Exam, X-rays and Consultation

If you have tooth pain or other symptoms of a tooth infection, you should come in right away to get an exam and see if root canal therapy is needed. Our doctors offer a New Patient Special.

This special offer includes the following:

  • Comprehensive oral exam
  • 3D Dental CT Scan
  • Full-mouth digital X-rays
  • Full series of digital photos
  • CT of head and airway
  • Extraoral head and neck exam
  • Oral cancer screening
  • Periodontal exam
  • Restorative exam (check for decay in existing crowns, fillings, bridges)
  • Check for bite alignment and TMJ issues
  • Get your questions answered

(A $331 Value)

Call us at (910) 692-4450 or click here to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Grimshaw.