If your tooth is damaged or infected, our Baltimore team will always try to save it with a root canal, if possible. Signs of an infected tooth include extreme sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures, a persistent toothache, graying or discoloration of the tooth, and painful chewing. If you notice one or more of these signs, call us right away to schedule an appointment and get your smile back to health.
Most patients say that the pain from their infected tooth is much worse than the root canal treatment itself. Dr. Merguerian is gentle and skilled and has even had patients fall asleep during this procedure once they're numb. This common treatment will get you out of the pain of a damaged tooth. This can be done with local anesthetic or under sedation to ensure your comfort.
It’s always better to keep your natural teeth, even if they need restorative treatment. Root Canal Therapy can save your tooth from further damage and prevent an extraction. Keeping your natural tooth means you won’t need to replace it with a dental implant or risk your teeth shifting to fill the space. At Waterfront Dental, we have resources for our patients to ensure they can get the treatment they need. If you think you have an infected tooth and may need root canal therapy in Baltimore, give us a call today to schedule an appointment with our friendly team.
After your appointment, you may also notice that your tooth aches a little once the numbing wears off. Some ache is normal and to be expected while the tooth heals. Usually this pain will go away after a few days, but may linger for a week or two. Prolonged or severe pain lasting longer than a week may require follow-up, so schedule an appointment with Waterfront Dental if you notice this.
Yes. Root canal therapy is over 95% successful, and it can last a lifetime. During the root canal process, the nerves inside your tooth will be removed and replaced with an inert, biocompatible material and will stay strong for years and decades to come.
Then, your remaining tooth material will be covered with a dental crown. This protects the tooth from further infection and restores its appearance and function. If you want to preserve your tooth for as long as possible, it’s very important to brush and floss the treated tooth thoroughly.
This is because the remaining natural enamel around your crown could still decay, and lead to another tooth infection. Because the nerve in your tooth will be removed, you won’t feel any pain or discomfort if this happens, but this can still cause negative oral health effects.
So make sure you’re brushing at least twice a day for two minutes and flossing or waterflossing. You should also maintain a healthy diet and eliminate other unhealthy lifestyle habits like smoking.
Finally, seeing Dr. Dawn Merguerian in Baltimore is also important to ensure your treated tooth remains healthy. She will check all of your teeth for signs of tooth decay and take x-rays once per year to check for signs of reinfection or root canal failure. This gives you peace of mind, and ensures you can get help right away if there is something wrong with your teeth.
