Does Pain in a Tooth Mean You Need Endodontics?
March 23, 2021
When you have serious pain and sensitivity in a tooth, this could mean a severe case of tooth decay or even an infected or abscessed tooth. In order to treat the tooth, and prevent complications that could include tooth loss, then you may need an endodontic procedure. In today’s blog, your Kansas City, MO, dentist will discuss root canal therapy.
The Causes of an Aching Tooth
The outer enamel on each tooth protects the sensitive inner layers of dentin from exposure to bacteria. However, if poor oral hygiene and a diet high in sugar lead to place buildup, this could cause demineralization and erode the enamel. Likewise, an injury or teeth grinding could also compromise your enamel. Cavities then form in the exposed dentin and could grow with time. Once your tooth starts to hurt, this means the bacteria has reached the pulp, a collection of living tissues at the center of your tooth. Now your decay could become an infection, one that could spread to other teeth or even cause tooth loss unless addressed.
Preventing Tooth Loss
Treating an infection means putting a stop to it and preventing it from spreading. The endodontic treatments known as a root canal allows our team to halt the issue and protects surrounding teeth, while also preserving the tooth itself. Otherwise, you could lose a tooth or even need to have one extracted to protect surrounding teeth and the jawbone itself.
The Root Canal Procedure
If you have a severe case of tooth decay or an infected tooth, we will first administer a numbing agent and for anxious patients, we could recommend sedation. We then open the tooth to access and remove the infected tissues for within. Afterward, we clean the interior of the tooth and add a special restorative material known as gutta percha. The last step involves capping the tooth with a custom-made crown, one that not only looks natural, but provides a durable chewing surface and protects the remaining structure. The process could take as little as one visit and keep your smile healthy!
Preventing Cavities and Infection
To help prevent these issues, we suggest brushing and flossing every day, cutting back on sugary foods and drinks, and making time to see us for a checkup and cleaning every six months! If you have any questions about staying free of infection, or about the root canal procedure, then contact our team today to learn more.
Do You Have Questions About Endodontic Care?
Our team knows how to treat infected teeth with a custom solution. To learn more about how our team tackles an infected tooth, then schedule a consultation by calling Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry of Kansas City, MO, today at 816-427-4018.