Should a cavity form in a tooth, our team could place a dental filling to offer relief. But when a tooth is infected, then our team could offer root canal therapy to avoid discomfort and tooth loss! In today’s blog, your Prairie Village, KS, dentist talks about treating infected teeth with a root canal to keep your smile whole and beautiful.
The Causes and Risks of an Infected Tooth
How does a tooth become infected in the first place? For some, this is due to an injury to it, or as a result of an untreated cavity. Either of these scenarios can allow harmful oral bacteria to reach the inner pulp, the nerve center that controls the flow of blood nutrients to and from the tooth. Without treatment, the infection will grow in severity and your tooth could be lost or require extraction to protect your smile from the spread of infection. Warning signs could include tooth sensitivity when you eat or drink, toothaches, swelling near the tooth, jaw and facial pain, and even a discharge from the tooth itself. When you experience persistent pain in a tooth, then see us right away to find out if you need a root canal!
Planning Your Endodontic Treatment
Our team will start the treatment process by taking a close and detailed look at your smile with digital x-rays. Using 90% less radiation and providing images instantly chairside, this will allow us to identify the position of the infection and assess the severity. We can then plan the treatment in detail. We also want to ensure your treatment experience is comfortable and a positive experience. To do so, we can offer a local anesthetic and could even recommend sedation to help you enter a deep state of calm and relaxation, with little to no memory of the procedure!
Help With a Root Canal
When you are ready, we will begin the root canal by opening the tooth and then removing the tissues from within. We then thoroughly clean the inside of the tooth and add a special restorative filling material. Once we do, we will cap the tooth with a crown, which protects the tooth and offers a lifelike appearance and a balanced bite. If you have any questions about how we treat advanced tooth decay or infection with a root canal, or if you have pain in a tooth, then contact our team today to learn more.
Learn More About Our Restorative Treatments
Dr. Browne and his team in Prairie Village, KS, are ready to save your tooth and discomfort relief with a safe and gentle root canal procedure. When you have pain in a tooth, then reach out to our team today by calling 913-901-8585.
