Toothaches don’t happen the day of your dental appointment, but the day you develop a toothache, you should call Cowlitz River Dental for a same-day emergency appointment. Our Castle Rock dental team emphasizes preventive dentistry to preserve oral health and natural dental structure. One of the best ways to ensure our team is able to repair your smile is to contact Cowlitz River Dental as soon as a toothache occurs. The sooner we diagnose and treat the cause of your toothache, the less likely it is we will have to remove and replace the affected tooth. Read on to learn the signs and symptoms of potentially damaging toothache causes, and when to reach out to our team for emergency care.
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Relieve the Pain of Your Toothache – Call Your Dentist near Longview
November 12, 2015
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Endodontics, or Root Canal Therapy, in Castle Rock, WA
March 25, 2015
No one needs to tell you that if you’re in pain, something is wrong. If that pain happens to be a toothache, then the pain may indicate the presence of infection. To save an infected tooth, endodontic treatment, or root canal therapy, is necessary. Dr. L. Blaine Kennington at Cowlitz River Dental in Castle Rock, WA, gently performs root canal therapy so you can eliminate the pain and save your tooth.
To understand the need for a root canal, let’s first examine the structure of a tooth, which consists of three layers. The first is called enamel, the hard and protective outer shell that surrounds each tooth. Next is the dentin, the softer and more sensitive middle layer. Finally, at the core of each tooth is dental pulp, which is comprised of nerve and lymph tissue as well as blood vessels. If this pulp becomes exposed to bacteria—whether through extreme decay or a traumatic injury to the tooth—the tooth can become infected and begin to die.
Other than a toothache, signs that indicate you may have an infected tooth include swelling of the gum and facial tissue around the tooth; a newly discolored tooth; and visible indications of infection on an x-ray.
The Endodontic Procedure
To begin a root canal, Dr. Kennington gently anesthetizes the tooth and surrounding tissue so the procedure is completely painless. Then, the tooth’s pulp is exposed and the pulp chamber and associated root canals are cleaned of infection and any accompanying debris. A biocompatible anti-bacterial material is inserted into the chamber and the tooth is sealed. To protect the tooth, Dr. Kennington will likely want to place a crown. When the root canal procedure is completed, you’ll have a strong and healthy tooth.
Schedule an Appointment Today
If you’re having any of the symptoms mentioned above that indicate an infected tooth, then call Cowlitz River Dental and ask about our endodontic treatment. We serve patients in Castle Rock, WA, as well as from Kelso, Longview and Lewis County and the surrounding area.
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Do I Need a Root Canal Treatment? Helpful Information from Cowlitz River Dental
September 8, 2014
Root canal treatment, also known as endodontic therapy, is a process by which the inside of a diseased tooth is cleaned and disinfected to prevent the total loss of the tooth. When decay reaches the inner pulp of a tooth, the patient may experience pain and swelling; it is important to remember, however, that not all teeth in need of root canal therapy cause painful symptoms. At Cowlitz River Dental in Castle Rock, WA, Dr. L. Blaine Kennington and his team help patients preserve more of their natural dentition with root canal treatment, all while treating the underlying cause of persistent discomfort.
Root Canal Therapy in Castle Rock, WA
In order to properly treat a tooth that is badly decayed, the infected tissue from deep within the root must be removed. The resultant cavity is then filled with a biocompatible material and a crown is placed atop the treated tooth. This crown’s purpose is two-fold; the crown protects the inside of the tooth from further damage, and it allows you to eat and smile with comfort and confidence.
Signs that one of your teeth may need root canal therapy include the following:
- Increased sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages
- Persistent pain localized to one area of the mouth
- Tenderness in the gums surrounding the affected tooth
- The development of an abscess in the gums
- A change in tooth color (the decaying tooth may appear gray or darker than normal)
If you notice any of the above symptoms, it is imperative that you make an appointment with our team as soon as possible. Root canal treatment can potentially save a diseased tooth before extraction becomes necessary.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
At Cowlitz River Dental, our primary objective is preserving your oral health and comfort, utilizing the latest technology in the industry complemented by a caring, personalized touch. If you or someone in your family is suffering with the pain of deep dental decay, Dr. Kennington can help. Contact our office in Castle Rock, WA today to reserve your appointment, and experience the difference our patient-centric approach can make for you and your family. Our state-of-the-art dental practice proudly serves patients from Kelso, Longview, Lewis County, Castle Rock, and the surrounding communities.
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