Do you have a throbbing, aching tooth? Obviously, something is wrong. Fortunately, here Marvel Dental in Carson City, NV, Dr. Jamie Marvel Malarkey is the general dentist who can help. You may need root canal therapy, a tried and true treatment that will relieve your pain and save your tooth.
What is a root canal?
You may have up to four of these slender chambers inside the roots which anchor your teeth. When injured or infected, these canals become inflamed. Their soft interior pulp deteriorates, causing a throbbing toothache and other symptoms.
To fix this issue, practitioners of general dentistry provide root canal treatment. Also called endodontic therapy, root canal treatment removes the injured interior pulp, disinfects the canals, and seals and caps the tooth. Dr. Jamie Marvel Melarkey performs the entire procedure in her Carson City general dentistry office, preserving teeth for many years of service.
Signs that you may need a root canal
Some damaged teeth exhibit no symptoms whatsoever and damage shows only on exam and X-ray. However, other teeth produce very obvious and uncomfortable symptoms such as:
- Toothache pain
- A pimple or fistula on the gums
- Darkened gums
- Pus and drainage around the tooth
- Bad breath
- Cracked or darkened enamel
- Dental sensitivity to heat, cold and sugar
- Jaw swelling
- Gum tenderness
Your symptoms, plus the results of Dr. Marvel Melarkey's careful examination, tell your dentist if your tooth can be saved. When possible, saving a natural tooth is preferable to extraction and the oral health problems it causes.
The procedure
Your dentist performs most root canal procedures with the benefit of local anesthetic. She accesses each root canal and with tiny files, removes the pulp, and smooths the walls of each canal. After adding disinfecting medication and a sealant called gutta-percha, she places a temporary crown to protect the tooth as it heals.
After a week, you come back to Marvel Dental to receive your permanent crown. The American Association of Endodontists (AAE) says your newly crowned and restored tooth should last just as long as any healthy tooth!
Don't hesitate
If you have a symptomatic tooth, don't delay. Root canal therapy could spare your tooth and help you quickly feel better. Call Marvel Dental in Carson City, NV, for an appointment to see your general dentist, Dr. Jamie Marvel Melarkey: (775) 884-3322.