When you have nerve damage or inflammation on the inside of a tooth, getting a root canal in St. Cloud, MN, helps to save it from extraction. Some common reasons for dental nerve damage include blunt force trauma to the mouth, repeated dental work on the same tooth, and deep decay.

The root canal has gotten an undeserved reputation over the years as a painful procedure that you should avoid. However, having a root canal performed is no more uncomfortable than any other dental procedure. Dr. Friesz and his team provide anesthesia at the start of the appointment to ensure that you do not feel any discomfort.

Signs You May Need a Root Canal

Even when you experience significant tooth pain, knowing the cause and what you should do next can be challenging. We encourage you to schedule an appointment at Friesz Family and Cosmetic Dentistry right away if you experience any of the symptoms listed below.

• Chip or crack in the tooth

• Discolored tooth
• Loose tooth
• Pain when biting into food or touching your tooth
• Sensitivity to hot and cold food and beverages
• Swollen gums

While you may want to ignore these symptoms, hoping they will go away, keep in mind that bacteria can spread from your mouth to other areas of your body and cause illness.

What Happens During a Root Canal?

Besides saving your natural tooth, the purpose of a root canal is to remove diseased and inflamed tooth pulp before the bacteria spreads. To accomplish this, Dr. Freisz first places a piece of rubber over your tooth and nearby gum tissues to prevent the tooth he needs to work on from becoming wet with saliva. He then uses a dental drill to create a small opening in the tooth to remove the infected pulp.

After removing the diseased pulp from inside your tooth chamber, Dr. Freisz applies filling material to your tooth and places a crown on top of it. These actions prevent your tooth from becoming infected again in the future, so you do not need to have repeat root canals.

Are you concerned that you need a root canal in St. Cloud, MN? Please schedule an appointment with us today.