When you have an infected tooth, treatment is crucial for avoiding issues like tooth loss. Our team can offer endodontic treatment to address these concerns and preserve your tooth. In today’s blog, your Prairie Village, KS, dentist talks about how we treat infected teeth and avoid tooth loss with a root canal treatment.
The Causes of an Infected Tooth
First, let’s talk about dental infection. A tooth becomes infected when harmful oral bacteria makes contact with the inner pulp, the nerve center of each tooth. This could be possible due to a serious injury, like a broken or fractured tooth, or as a result of an untreated cavity, which exposes the pulp to bacteria. When this occurs, treatment is crucial to avoid serious discomfort or even the risk of tooth loss, as the tooth may fall out or even require extraction to protect surrounding teeth from infection.
Signs You Need Endodontic Treatment
How do you know if you have an infected tooth that needs attention? You may initially experience tooth sensitivity when you eat or drink hot or cold items, and a toothache could develop that doesn’t pass after a day or two. Pain when you bite down and chew is possible, as is discomfort in your face and jaw, or headaches. Swelling could occur near the tooth and you may even experience a discharge from the tooth itself. Don’t ignore these possible symptoms, let us know about your persistent discomfort so we can conduct a diagnosis and see if you need treatment with root canal therapy!
The Root Canal Procedure
Our team will plan the root canal in detail to ensure optimal results. We will also administer a local anesthetic and even sedation to help ensure you’re comfortable and relaxed, even if you have dental anxiety. We open the tooth to remove the tissue from within the interior and the root canals. We then add a new filling known as gutta percha, before we cap the tooth with a crown. The crown will be custom-made to not only look natural and blend with your smile, but to provide serious protection against further injury.
If you have any questions about how we treat infected teeth or about the root canal procedure, then please reach out to our team today. Let’s work together to start summer with a strong, healthy, and beautiful smile.
DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY
We would like to help you avoid major discomfort and tooth loss with endodontic treatment. To find out more about how we address an infected tooth, you can call Dr. Browne in Prairie Village, KS, at 913-901-8585. Our team can use restorative dentistry to return your smile to optimal health, function, and beauty, often in as little as one visit.
