What to Do When a Crown Falls Out
Dental crowns are useful in protecting damaged teeth, but if something happens and they end up falling out, you’ll need to know how to keep things from worsening. Read on to find out how to manage the situation.
The telltale signs of a tooth infection can be worrying, especially when you haven’t visited the dentist recently. However, when a tooth is infected or decaying, it’s important to intervene early and solve the issue before it gets worse. Root canals are a vital procedure to saving teeth that might otherwise rot and fall out. So what are root canals, how are they performed, and how can they save your tooth from being completely ruined?
The dentists at Fresh Dental Care in Houston, Texas, are experienced in identifying infections and providing root canals to those who might otherwise require getting their teeth pulled. Your natural teeth can’t grow back once they’ve been pulled out, so all efforts should be made to save them before you begin considering extraction.
A root canal is a dental procedure designed to repair or save a tooth from decay, infection, or injury. When a tooth becomes infected, the pulp and nerve of the tooth begin to decay. Root canals intervene by removing the inflamed interior of the tooth. During a root canal, the root of your tooth and its canals are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, hence the name. Then, the inside of your tooth is filled and sealed to prevent further infection.
Without a root canal, the tooth just continues to decay. This causes pain, discomfort, and the eventual loss of your tooth. The infection from one tooth can also spread to your gums and jaw, only worsening your situation. Root canals save your teeth by getting rid of the infection and fortifying what’s left of your natural tooth.
The only dental alternative to a root canal procedure is having your tooth removed. Then, tooth replacement is necessary to prevent bone loss in the jaw. However, implants and other replacement options can be time-consuming and expensive, while root canals are simple, effective, and typically successful.
Signs of tooth infection are signs that you might need a root canal. There are a few symptoms to look out for, and they’re noticeable. These include:
You can’t “wait out” a tooth infection, and it’s unwise to do so. Many people avoid seeking treatment because they think the problem works out naturally, but this isn’t the case. The longer you avoid a root canal, the more likely your tooth rots and the infection spreads. It’s better to visit the dentist as soon as possible and get the issue taken care of.
Root canals are done under anesthesia, so you don’t have to worry about the procedure itself being painful. Your dentist takes special care to minimize your discomfort and makes sure you’re not experiencing pain during your root canal.
Like all dental surgeries, you might experience a mild ache and discomfort after the procedure. However, this is nothing compared with the pain you would experience if you left the infection untreated, or had the tooth extracted entirely.
Don’t ignore your tooth infection. If you’re suffering from tooth pain and signs of infection, you can find treatment by calling one of our convenient Fresh Dental Care locations, or contacting us online.
