When you have serious and persistent pain in one or more of your teeth, then you could have a deep case of tooth decay, or even an infected tooth. To continue ignoring the issue means worsening discomfort, and even the potential loss of your tooth. In today’s blog, your Overland Park, KS, dentist will explain how we stop tooth pain with a root canal.
The Causes of an Infected Tooth
An infection is possible when harmful bacteria reach the inner pulp, the tooth’s nerve center that helps it stay alive and functional. An untreated cavity could expose the pulp, as could a broken or cracked tooth. Once an infection develops, you could experience serious pain when biting down or chewing, as well as a persistent toothache or tooth sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks. Other warning signs include jaw pain, headaches, fever, swelling near the tooth, or a discharge from it. If you encounter one or more of these potential warning signs, then let us know right away!
Don’t Lose Your Tooth!
Without treatment, your infection could grow so severe that the tooth falls out, or requires extraction to prevent the spread of infection throughout your smile. To avoid these complications, we suggest a root canal treatment. The procedure allows us to halt the infection. With routine checkups and cleanings every six months in the future, we then keep a close eye on your smile for future cases, so we address them before decay even develops.
The Root Canal Process
We begin by administering a local anesthetic to ensure you remain calm and comfortable throughout process. Next, we need to open the tooth itself to remove the infected tissue from within. The interior of the tooth will be thoroughly cleaned and infected too. We add a special restorative material, and the final step involves capping the tooth with a dental crown. The crown is designed to mimic the appearance and color of surrounding teeth, ensuring a comfortable bite, well-balanced bite, and a lifelike appearance. In as little as one visit in some cases, we help return your smile to optimal health, function, and beauty. If you have any questions about treating dental infections, or about what you can do to keep your smile healthy, then contact our team today. We want to offer preventive care to keep your teeth strong, and protect you from issues that could threaten your smile’s stability.
Do You Have Questions About Endodontic Care?
Our team helps restore smiles with a safe and comfortable root canal treatment. To learn more about treating infected teeth with our restorative treatment options, then schedule your consultation by calling Family First Dental in Overland Park, KS, today at 913-381-2600.