Will a Root Canal Save My Infected Tooth?
July 31, 2019
When a cavity remains untreated, or you don’t see your dentist to repair a cracked or chipped tooth, then a tooth could develop an infection. In order to prevent this, or to keep that infection from causing a tooth to require extraction, we may recommend a root canal procedure. How does a root canal save smiles in Kansas City, MO?
The Dangers of a Dental Infection
The infection happens when harmful bacteria makes contact with the inner pulp, a group of living tissues at the center of the tooth and in the root canals, which keeps your tooth alive and healthy. The presence of bacteria could cause painful infection, leading to difficulties eating comfortably, toothaches and tooth sensitivity, swelling near the tooth, a discharge from the tooth, or even a fever. Over time, the tooth could essentially die, which allows infection to reach other teeth as well, causing serous problems for your smile’s health and beauty. For some, an extraction may be necessary to protect the overall health of the smile.
Endodontic Treatment Options
The problem may occur as a result of untreated tooth decay allowing bacteria to reach the pulp, or following a serious injury to the tooth that exposes inner structures to bacteria. In order to treat the issue and prevent tooth loss, our team will first administer a local anesthetic. We can also discuss sedation options for patients with dental anxiety. We move forward with the procedure by removing infected tissue from within the tooth, replacing it with a restorative filling. Finally, we cap the tooth with a dental crown, custom-made to blend with your smile and protect the tooth from further injury. The entire process only takes one visit to complete!
Ensuring Healthier Smiles
Let’s talk about what you can do to avoid decay and infection. First, try to cut back on sugary foods and drinks, which provide fuel to harmful bacteria and facilitate the onset of cavities and infected teeth. Next, make time in your day to brush your teeth for two minutes when you wake up and again before going to bed. You also need to floss thoroughly before going to sleep as well. Every six months, you need to see us so we can examine your smile and watch for signs of trouble, administering treatment before serious complications arise. In addition, we will clean your teeth, removing harmful plaque buildup from your smile. If you have any questions, please contact our team today.
Do You Have Questions About Endodontic Treatment?
If you have an infected to abscessed tooth, don’t risk losing it altogether. To learn more about preserving damaged or infected teeth, then please schedule a consultation by calling Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry of Kansas City, MO, today at 816-427-4018.