Is A Root Canal A Dental Emergency?

A root canal is one of the most common dental emergencies in Reno. If you don’t get treatment right away, you can risk irreparable damage to your oral health.

Keep reading to learn why a root canal is an emergency procedure and what to do if you need one.

What Is a Root Canal?

A root canal in Reno is a procedure used to treat a badly infected tooth or a large cavity. It’s usually done in the following steps:

A dentist X-rays the tooth to determine the extent of the infection and decay
They drill the tooth to reveal all the infected tissue and begin to remove it
A root canal removes tooth tissue, nerves, and bacteria from inside the tooth, including the canals
The tooth is then disinfected to kill any traces of bacteria
The Reno dentist begins to seal and reconstruct the tooth with a filling or dental crown.

Why Is a Root Canal an Emergency?

A root canal may be the only way to treat a badly infected tooth and avoid an extraction. Infections slowly affect all layers of a tooth, from enamel to dentin and other sensitive tissues.

The more the infection grows, the more uncomfortable the symptoms become. These can include:

Severe pain and swelling
Abscess forming just above or beneath the tooth
Loose tooth
Enamel cracking, etc.

In very advanced cases, the tooth infection can spread to other nearby tissues, such as the gums or even the jaw bone. These usually need antibiotic therapy to fight off the condition before the root canal can be successfully performed.

If left unchecked, a tooth infection can also cause sepsis, a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention.

What to Do If You’re Dealing with a Tooth Infection

If you notice the signs of a tooth infection, follow these steps:

Call us right away: You can reach out to us by calling (775) 329-8622 and requesting a same-day appointment;

Manage your symptoms: Place a cold compress on your cheek or take an OTC pain medication like Ibuprofen to manage your symptoms until you reach our office;

Don’t skip your appointment: In some cases, you may notice your pain going away. Unfortunately, this isn’t a sign your infection is healed but a possible dead tooth, which still requires dental care.

A root canal at Blue Water Dental Care is also done under local anesthesia, and even sedation if it's necessary to make sure you’re perfectly relaxed and comfortable.