In these scenarios, we can treat the problem without needing to perform a root canal. For example, we can clean your teeth and remove any food particles causing discomfort. If you have a cavity, we can remove the decay and place a filling at our family dentist office. This is done quickly and is far less invasive than a root canal. Simultaneously, if your tooth is chipped or cracked, we can restore it using dental bonding or dental veneers. If you are dealing with erosion, you may need dental crowns to protect your teeth. We also restore teeth on a daily basis and have several ways of doing so.
However, there are many times where a root canal is the right treatment option, so to answer the question, “my tooth hurts, do I need a root canal?” we must also look at the surrounding circumstances.
When you visit our dental office in West Bloomfield Township, MI, we need to know how long you have been dealing with this issue and whether the pain came on suddenly or if it has built up over time. This will help us in determining what the source of the discomfort is and what our treatment plan needs to be.
At Flossophy Dental Boutique we regularly ask patients about their pain and whether or not it is manageable. If it is only slight discomfort, you may be able to visit our West Bloomfield Township dentist practice and have tooth decay removed. In many cases, a toothache is caused by a cavity that can be treated without the need for a root canal. However, we find that intense pain can often be due to an infection severe enough to warrant a root canal.
If you have any of these symptoms, you should call our emergency dentist office at 248-847-3828 and schedule an appointment to be seen right away.
Cementum is that bone-like tissue that forms the outer surface on the root of the tooth.
Dentin is the inner layer of the tooth structure that is immediately under the enamel and surrounds the dental pulp.
The enamel is the hard calcified layer that covers the entire tooth and is subject to interaction with multiple substances.
A pulpectomy is a procedure that involves the complete removal of pulp tissue from the root canal in a tooth.
A pulpotomy is a procedure involving the removal of a portion of diseased or infected pulp in order to protect the healthy portions of the pulp and teeth still in the mouth.
Dental pulp is the inner-most layer of the tooth with connective tissue that contains blood vessels and nerve tissue.
A direct pulp cap is a procedure in which a professional treats exposed pulp with a therapeutic material to help the tooth heal.
An endodontist is a specialist who focuses on treating issues, diseases and conditions that affect the inner-most layer of the tooth, the dental pulp.
Pulpitis is another term to describe the inflammation of the dental pulp due to an injury or infection.