If you’re in pain from a toothache and decide to wait too long to have it looked at, you may end up having to undergo an emergency root canal (sometimes known as a rescue root canal). It may be hard to believe that waiting even one day can result in your tooth becoming so damaged that you need an emergency root canal, but it can happen very quickly. In this article, we’ll tell you what happens if you wait too long for a root canal and the dangers of putting off a visit to the dentist.
Root Canals: An Introduction
What happens when your tooth infection is so bad that you need to get it pulled out instead of fixed with a root canal? While dental emergencies can be scary, they don’t necessarily mean you’ll have to lose a tooth. But how do you know what problems are serious enough to warrant an emergency appointment with your dentist? And which problems can be safely resolved at your dentist’s office? If you think you might have an emergency on your hands, here are some things to look out for and consider. The earlier you see your dentist, the better! In fact, most dentists recommend scheduling a follow-up appointment after your initial exam to discuss any concerns or questions you may have about your visit. This way, if something does come up later on in the process (like an infection), you can call them right away.
As always, remember: talk to your dentist about any concerns or questions you may have about potential problems or treatments for existing issues. Don’t wait until there’s a problem—it’s better to prevent one than treat one! Good luck!
Why Go Now?
Not only is it better to go sooner rather than later, but in some cases it’s absolutely crucial. Take immediate action and get emergency root canal treatment if you experience these symptoms: severe pain, swelling, abscesses (pus-filled pockets), numbness or changes in your bite. The longer you wait to address any of these issues, which are caused by decay between teeth or inflammation of nerves or gum tissue, can mean an infection gets worse — putting your overall health at risk. If you’ve already waited too long, contact our office immediately. We’ll do everything we can to help relieve your pain and restore your oral health as quickly as possible. And remember, regular dental checkups will help prevent more serious problems down the road.
How Do You Know If You Need Emergency Care?
If you experience pain that goes on longer than 12 hours, you may need emergency root canal care. The reason is simple: without medical attention, infection can move from your tooth to your jaw bone and beyond. And when it gets to that point, not only will you have been in pain for longer than recommended, but also any damage done could be irreparable.
In severe cases of non-emergency care, patients even report losing their teeth or having parts of their face removed due to abscesses or osteomyelitis—another condition brought on by an untreated tooth infection—making it critical to avoid any delays in receiving treatment. Waiting too long to get help puts not only your health at risk but also your smile. It’s always better safe than sorry! So contact us today to schedule an appointment with our team.
Be Honest With Your Dentist
If you haven’t yet visited your Dentist Houston, now is probably a good time to schedule an appointment. At our offices, we recommend you go in once every six months; you should also make time to visit us right after any tooth trauma like a fall or sports injury. However, even with regular visits, there can still be times when you have to go under general anesthesia for emergency root canal work on damaged teeth. If you wait too long between appointments and miss damage signals like pain or tenderness, it can lead to much more extensive—and expensive—root canal work down the road.
The longer you wait, the harder it will be to save your tooth. Bottom line: Don’t delay seeing your dentist when something seems off! We love helping patients avoid root canals whenever possible by catching problems early and taking preventative measures. It may seem counterintuitive, but going sooner rather than later could save you both time and money in the long run!
Choosing The Right Dentist
Finding a good dentist is one of those things that most people don’t think about until they absolutely have to. But with regular cleanings and checkups, most problems can be identified early and avoided. What happens, though, when you put off getting dental work done? Your teeth will eventually suffer—and in some cases, so will your wallet! Here are some important things to keep in mind when selecting your next dentist Do I Need A Dentist?: First and foremost, it’s helpful to figure out what type of care you need. If you’re having tooth pain or an infection, then it’s time to make an appointment. On the other hand, if your teeth just need a little polishing up every six months or so, then perhaps an oral hygienist will do just fine (for less money). Asking yourself these questions beforehand helps narrow down where you should go. For example:
Do I want a general dentist who sees patients all day long or someone who specializes in fixing cavities? Do I want someone who works with kids or only adults? If cost is my main concern, am I willing to travel farther away from home? All these factors matter! It also helps to know what you’re looking for in terms of amenities, such as whether you prefer a modern office setting or something more traditional. This can help determine which offices offer more flexible hours and payment plans. Don’t Be Afraid To Ask Questions: When making an appointment, ask lots of questions! Some dentists charge by procedure instead of by hour; others may offer discounts on certain services; and still others may require that you sign up for recurring appointments (which might save you money in the long run). These are all things worth knowing before making an appointment.
Going Under Anesthesia
If you’re planning to undergo endodontic treatment, it’s critical that you understand exactly what will be involved. Many patients are surprised to learn that—unlike most other dental procedures—endodontic treatment usually involves being put under general anesthesia. It’s not at all uncommon for your dentist to recommend taking two or three days off work and staying in bed until at least one day after your procedure. So if you have an important meeting or a big project at work, discuss your options with your doctor beforehand and plan accordingly. If it makes sense, try getting some of your surgery done during lunch or over a weekend; either way, setting up flexible working arrangements is essential.
Even more important than telling your boss about your upcoming surgery is telling them when you expect to return to work—that way they can help prepare their team and schedule appropriately. The bottom line: while root canal treatment isn’t technically emergency care, it should still be treated as such! If possible, reschedule any non-essential appointments so that you can take time off from work immediately before and after your procedure. And make sure that both yourself and anyone who helps you manage pain has emergency contact information on hand. To keep things simple (and safe), always let someone know where you are going for surgery as well as when you expect to return home.
Dental Insurance May Not Cover A Root Canal
While there are many things that dental insurance will cover, root canals are not always included. The reason is simple: root canals are not considered preventative treatment, and so most insurers do not have to pay for them (except in limited circumstances). But what exactly is a root canal, and why should you care about it? A root canal may be exactly what you need right now. Here’s how it works.
