When Does a Smile Need Endodontic Care?
December 18, 2019
Have you ever heard of endodontic care? Also known as root canal therapy, this treatment allows your Kansas City, MO, dentist to tackle an infected tooth and prevent the issue from worsening and leading to tooth loss. In today’s blog, we look at when a smile needs endodontic treatment, and what people can expect from root canal therapy.
The Causes of a Dental Infection
To understand how an infection forms, you first need to understand the layers of your tooth. The outermost, known as tooth enamel, coats the teeth and provides protection from bacteria and injury. Beneath this layer is the dentin, which makes up most of the tooth structure and is sensitive and porous in nature. The innermost layer is a bundle of living tissues know as pulp, which is essential for keeping your tooth healthy. Cavities form when the outermost layer becomes weakened and erodes due to plaque buildup and poor oral hygiene habits. Bacteria reach the dentin, leading to decay. An infection occurs when the decay continues to grow and eventually makes contact with the pulp. At this point, treatment is crucial to prevent the loss of your tooth!
Signs of Trouble
Warning signs of an infected tooth may include tooth sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures or a persistent toothache that doesn’t pass after 48 hours. Pain when you eat or bite down is also reported, as is swelling near the aching tooth. People may also experience fever or a foul discharge from the tooth itself. If you begin to experience these warning signs, let us know right away. Otherwise, the tooth could essentially die and require extraction. The infection could then potentially spread to surrounding teeth!
Endodontic Treatment With Root Canal Therapy
To treat the tooth, we first administer a local anesthetic to ensure you feel comfortable throughout the procedure. Next, we open the tooth and then remove the infected tissue from within. Afterward, we clean the inside of your tooth and apply a restorative filling material. The final step is to cap the tooth with a dental crown, which covers the entire visible portion to prevent further injury. The tooth is then healthy, comfortable, and continues to blend with your smile seamlessly. If you have any questions about how we treat cavities and dental infections, then contact our team today. We would love to help you and your family enjoy better oral health and a smile that looks bright and beautiful.
Ready for Restorative Care?
Our team is ready to tackle your aching tooth and offer a quality solution. To learn more about how we can restore smiles of all ages, then please schedule a consultation by calling Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry of Kansas City, MO, today at 816-427-4018. We’re here to help residents in our community enjoy optimal oral health and beautiful, bright smiles.