Endodontics Can Save Your Tooth
December 18, 2017
What is endodontics? Endodontic treatment, also known as root canal therapy, is the process of removing decay and infection from the inner pulp of your tooth.While the words “root canal” can strike fear into a patient, modern medicine has advanced the treatment. Root canal therapy can now be as simple as a dental filling, and is often less painful than the toothache. The need for endodontics can typically be avoided by practicing good oral hygiene and regularly visiting your dentist. Unforeseen events like a fractured tooth could require root canal therapy for restoration. Root canal therapy is often the last option to save a tooth before an extraction becomes necessary.
The Process
As stated above, pain from an infected tooth can be more painful than the actually process of root canal therapy. When the treatment begins, your dentist will first create a small opening to access the inner pulp and tissue of your tooth. There may already be significant access depending on the state of your tooth. Once inside, the inner canals and pulp will be disinfected and any damage will be removed. Your roots may be replaced with a prosthetic material. A dental crown may be needed to restore the tooth and protect it future damage.
How Does It Save My Tooth?
When a tooth requires root canal therapy, it means that the damage or decay has reached the inner tissue of the tooth. Without endodontics, the infection can become dangerous. The infection can enter your bloodstream to travel to other areas of your body, which can lead to serious complications and in rare cases, death. The pain from an infected or abscessed tooth can be excruciating. Once an infection has progressed to a certain point, root canal treatment may no longer be a viable option. A dental extraction may become the only way to stop the pain and infection.
Endodontics Can Help Restore Your Tooth
Endodontic treatment may be the best way to save a tooth from extraction. To learn more, schedule an appointment by calling Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry of Kansas City, MO, today at 816-427-4018.