There are a several reasons your teeth can start to hurt severely, including trauma, infection, and deep decay. In order to save a tooth, Dr. Coon may recommend root canal therapy, which can remove infected or dead tissue and help your body heal itself. At Ease Dental in Bella Vista provides gentle root canal treatments to enable our patients to keep their natural teeth. This is almost always preferable to a tooth extraction.

There are several signs that you might need a root canal. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, root canals are often the best way to save your tooth:

• Severe pain or swelling in a small area
• Sensitivity or pain to hot or cold
• Pain on chewing or biting
• Discoloration of a single tooth
• A “pimple” on the side of your gums
• Bad taste in your mouth

In order to determine if you need a root canal, an exam and X-rays are necessary. These allow the dentist to evaluate if the tooth is savable. Once you are numb, the dentist will remove the infected pulp and seal the canal with a medication that promotes healing. Dr. Coon will then seal the tooth with composite to prevent any additional contamination. After completion of a root canal, the tooth is weaker than a healthy tooth, so crowns are usually recommended to improve strength and prevent fractures.

If you have been told you need a root canal or are experiencing any of the symptoms above, call At Ease Dental at (479) 553-9225 to schedule an exam with your Bella Vista dentist.