A throbbing toothache is a miserably painful ordeal that can bring even an incredibly resilient individual to tears, and it is usually caused by severe dental infection that went far too long without treatment. A root canal is usually the best way to end the infection and save the tooth, but many people may hesitate to commit to the treatment, especially if their toothache seems to suddenly disappear. Here’s a brief guide to what can cause this to happen and why a root canal will still probably be necessary.
Why Did My Toothache Disappear?
In some cases, dental pain may be caused by something as simple as a large object stuck between the teeth and can be resolved with a thorough brushing and flossing session. A severe, throbbing toothache, however, is usually caused by an advanced bacterial infection in the tooth that has reached the soft pulp tissue inside it. When the pulp becomes infected, the nerve inside it will send pain signals to the brain, causing the horrid misery toothaches are renowned for.
While a throbbing toothache may seem to disappear after a few days, this is rarely good news. It is quite likely that the pain ended because the infection killed the nerve in the pulp, and a lack of pain does not mean that the bacteria are not still destroying your oral tissues. A root canal will still be necessary to prevent tooth loss and the spread of the infection.
How Are Root Canals Performed?
The root canal process begins with the patient receiving a local anesthetic to ensure that they feel no pain. Once the patient is comfortable, their dentist will access the inner chamber of the tooth, extract the infected pulp, and sanitize, fill, and seal the dental structure to reduce the likelihood of new infections. They will probably then place a dental crown on the treated tooth to restore its structure and appearance. A root canal can allow a compromised tooth to function normally and last for much longer than it would without treatment.
Dentists understand that many people can get quite anxious about root canals, and they will do everything in their power to ensure that your treatment experience is as comfortable and stress-free as possible. While you may experience some temporary soreness for a few days after the treatment, this will be mild, temporary, and far more pleasant than tooth loss or the continuing misery of an ongoing toothache.
About the Practice
EMA Dental offers the finest oral healthcare in East Longmeadow, Northampton, and Westfield. Led by a skilled team of eight dentists, the practice offers compassionate treatment with stellar customer service. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry such as root canal services. To learn more about the root canal process, contact the staff online.