If you have ever had a toothache, you have probably wondered whether or not you should have an emergency root canal done. In the moment, it may seem like the right option, but what are the long-term effects of having an emergency root canal? Here’s what you need to know about emergency root canals and why they might not be such a good idea after all.
What are common symptoms of an infected tooth?
The most common symptom of a root canal infection that requires emergency treatment is pain. The pain may be mild at first, but will get progressively worse as your body attempts to fight off the infection by producing more white blood cells and creating pus. Some patients will also experience swelling or redness around your gums. This can cause discomfort when you eat or drink anything, especially hot or cold foods and beverages that touch your teeth. You may also have trouble opening your mouth normally, which makes eating difficult. If you have any of these symptoms after receiving a root canal, it’s time to make an appointment with your dentist for another opinion about what’s going on inside your tooth.
Appointments with a Dentist in case of emergency root canal
To many people, a toothache feels like an emergency. But a true emergency is actually a medical condition that could lead to irreversible damage if not treated quickly and effectively. By definition, root canal treatment does not fall into that category and for most people, having dental problems isn’t life threatening. So don’t confuse urgent with emergency. While you can certainly schedule emergency root canal treatment in Boise Idaho as soon as possible, there are some signs of pain that should be taken seriously. Pain at nighttime or around meals can be associated with your bite and require orthodontic work or gum disease treatment. Severe pain on one side of your face could be caused by impacted wisdom teeth or jaw bone problems such as cysts or infections.
How much does an emergency root canal cost?
A root canal isn’t cheap. An estimate will vary widely depending on your dentist, location and insurance coverage. If you’re uninsured or have a poor-quality plan, you can expect to pay $300 or more for an emergency visit. For comparison, a routine checkup with X-rays costs about $150 at my practice in Florida. So what makes root canals so expensive?
Am I at risk for nerve damage during the procedure?
Ask your dentist to explain how they handle root canals during your procedure. If they don’t seem confident in their answers, chances are high that you aren’t getting as thorough of a care as you should be. Additionally, there are some types of medications that may be prescribed after procedures like these; ask about them to make sure you won’t have issues with nerve damage later on.
Long term effects of root canal treatment
If you are considering dental implants, one of your biggest concerns may be whether having a root canal treatment and implant surgery can interfere with each other. And while root canal treatments do not interfere with dental implants, they can cause further complications down the road. Over time, a tooth that has undergone a root canal procedure may begin to weaken or decay. These complications result from infections inside of your tooth as well as deterioration from poor oral health at large. If you have had a root canal in one or more teeth already and wish to consider getting dental implants in these areas, please discuss your situation with your dentist first.
