Persistent tooth pain does not always mean you need a root canal, but it should be evaluated promptly. Root canal therapy treats infection or inflammation inside a tooth and may allow the natural tooth to be preserved. Oak Hill Family Dentistry provides root canal evaluations and treatment planning at our Newnan office.
Signs You May Need Root Canal Treatment
The soft tissue inside a tooth can become inflamed or infected after deep decay, a crack, repeated dental treatment, or an injury. Contact us if you notice:
- Persistent or severe tooth pain
- Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold
- Pain when chewing or biting
- Swelling or tenderness near a tooth
- A pimple-like bump on the gums
- A tooth that has darkened after an injury
These symptoms can have several causes. A dental examination is necessary to determine whether root canal therapy, a filling, a crown, or another treatment is appropriate. Facial swelling, fever, or rapidly worsening pain may require urgent dental care.
How We Evaluate an Infected or Painful Tooth
Dr. Mike Jin will review your symptoms, examine the tooth and surrounding tissues, and use diagnostic imaging when needed. Our office offers digital X-rays and three-dimensional imaging for cases in which additional detail may help with diagnosis or treatment planning.
After the evaluation, we will explain the findings and discuss whether treatment can be completed at our office or whether referral to an endodontic specialist would be more appropriate for a complex case.
What Happens During Root Canal Therapy?
The area is numbed before treatment. The inflamed or infected tissue is removed from inside the tooth, and the canals are carefully cleaned, shaped, disinfected, and sealed. A temporary or permanent restoration is then placed to protect the tooth.
Many back teeth need a dental crown after root canal therapy because they have lost tooth structure and must withstand significant chewing forces. We will explain the recommended restoration and timing for your specific tooth.
Comfort and Recovery
Modern anesthesia helps keep treatment comfortable. Mild tenderness after the procedure is common and usually improves over the following days. Follow the instructions provided by our team, avoid chewing hard foods on a temporarily restored tooth, and contact us if swelling or pain increases rather than improves.
Why Preserve the Natural Tooth?
When a tooth can be predictably restored, root canal therapy may help maintain your bite, appearance, and normal chewing function. If a tooth cannot be saved, we will discuss tooth extraction and appropriate replacement options without pressuring you into treatment.
Schedule a Root Canal Evaluation in Newnan
Oak Hill Family Dentistry is located at 65 Oak Hill Blvd in Newnan, GA. We welcome patients from Newnan, Sharpsburg, Thomas Crossroads, Summer Grove, and surrounding Coweta County communities.
Call 770-251-8767 or request an appointment online if you have persistent tooth pain or want to discuss root canal therapy.