Infection Warning: Is Your Tooth Trying to Tell You Something?

A young woman wearing glasses and smiling in a park.If you’re dealing with persistent tooth pain or sensitivity, it may be more than just a minor cavity. At Pence Family Dentistry, we help patients identify and treat dental infections before they lead to tooth loss. Dr. Orey Pence, DDS, has extensive experience performing root canal therapy to relieve pain and save teeth from extraction.

What Causes a Dental Infection?

Inside every tooth is a pulp chamber that houses nerves and blood vessels. When this area becomes infected—usually due to deep decay, cracks, or trauma—it can cause inflammation and pressure that leads to intense pain. Once an infection reaches the tooth’s nerves, the discomfort can be severe and won’t go away without treatment.

Common Signs You May Need a Root Canal

A root canal may be necessary if you experience ongoing tooth pain, especially when chewing or applying pressure. Sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers after the source is removed is another red flag. You might also notice swelling around the gums, darkening of the tooth, or a small pimple-like bump on the gumline. These symptoms suggest that the infection is spreading, and action is needed to prevent more serious damage.

What to Expect from Root Canal Therapy

Root canal therapy removes the infected tissue from your tooth, cleans the interior, and seals it to prevent reinfection. At Pence Family Dentistry, we use advanced Cone Beam CT scanning technology to create detailed 3D images of your teeth. This helps Dr. Pence precisely locate the infection and safely navigate delicate root structures during treatment. After your root canal, we place a high-quality porcelain crown to restore strength and appearance.

Does a Root Canal Hurt?

Thanks to modern anesthetics and techniques, root canal therapy is no longer the painful procedure many people fear. Most patients report that the process feels similar to getting a filling. You may experience mild discomfort afterward, but it’s typically manageable with over-the-counter medication. For those who feel anxious about dental work, we also offer sedation options to make your experience stress-free.

Comfortable Care with Sedation Dentistry

For patients who want a deeper level of relaxation, we provide IV sedation in addition to traditional oral conscious sedation. IV sedation is a safe and effective way to stay calm and comfortable throughout your root canal. Many patients don’t remember the procedure at all and recover with less stress and tension.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of a dental infection, don’t wait for the pain to worsen. Dr. Orey Pence and the team at Pence Family Dentistry offer expert root canal care using the latest technology and gentle techniques. We proudly serve patients throughout Fishers, Noblesville, Indianapolis, and surrounding areas. Schedule a consultation today to find relief and protect your smile.

Contact Pence Family Dentistry:

317-842-2337

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

9744 Lantern Rd
Fishers, Indiana
46037

Pence Family Dentistry members of Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation
Voted best dentist in Indiana 2022 by Expertise
Pence Family Dentistry in Indianapolis is an American Dental Association member
International
Indiana Dental Association membership badge
Contact Us

    317-842-2337
    9744 Lantern Rd Fishers, IN 46037
    We are happy to welcome Dr. Richard Weber, DDS, and his patients to our practice!
    This is default text for notification bar

    TEXT OUR OFFICE

    Text message is limited to 160 characters.

    HOW IT WORKS

    1. Enter your Name.
    2. Enter your Cell Phone Number, area code first
    3. Enter your text message in the box.
    4. Click "Send Text"
    5. A copy of this text will be sent to the office and to your cell phone. The office's reply will also be sent to your cell phone where you can continue the text conversation.
    Note: Mobile message and data rates from your cell phone carrier may apply.Close ClickToCall Button
    NagiosCheckValue - Do not remove please