When you have an infected tooth, this could mean painful toothaches and even discomfort when you eat. We want to administer endodontic treatment to prevent worsening pain or even tooth loss. In today’s blog, your Londonderry, NH, dentist talks about root canal therapy and saving your smile from the impacts of infection!
The Causes of an Infected Tooth
What causes a tooth to become infected? At the center of each tooth is a collection of nerve tissues known as the pup, which oversees the flow of blood and nutrients to and from your tooth. When harmful oral bacteria reach the pulp, this causes an infection to form. This could occur due to an untreated cavity, or damage to the tooth. Without treatment, this could grow in severity to not only cause severe discomfort, but also leads to the loss of the tooth altogether. But with a root canal procedure, we can offer treatment to preserve your tooth and keep your smile whole!
The Common Warning Signs You Should Recognize
What warning signs should you be aware of? You may experience tooth sensitivity when you chew or bite down, or a toothache that doesn’t subside after a day or two, and instead grows in severity. There could be swelling near the tooth, a discharge from it, pain in the face or jaw, and headaches. Don’t ignore persistent pain in one or more of your teeth, instead reach out to our team for treatment. We want to help save your tooth from pain and loss, and that means providing an endodontic treatment when an infection is discovered.
Planning Treatment
To get started, our team will conduct a detailed exam of the tooth. We want to use digital x-rays to obtain a clear image of the position and severity of the infection, so we can plan treatment in detail, avoiding contact with sensitive structures and tissues in the process. Every smile is unique, so we take a personalized approach to treating your infected tooth.
Administering Dental Sedation
Our team wants to ensure the procedure is a comfortable experience for you, even if you have dental anxiety or special needs. To numb the area where the root canal is taking place, we will administer a local anesthetic, which keeps you comfortable. If you have anxiety or factors that make undergoing treatment a difficult process, we could discuss dental sedation to help you enter a deep state of relaxation and calm. We can choose from options like nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation, selecting one based on factors like age, weight, medical history, and more. We want your treatment experience to be a positive one!
The Root Canal Procedure
When you are ready, we will start the root canal treatment by opening the tooth to access and remove the infected tissues from within. Once we do, we will clean the interior of the tooth thoroughly and then add a special restorative filling known as gutta percha. When the tooth is filled, we will cap it with a dental crown. The crown will be custom-made to fit comfortably and offer a balanced bite. We also shade it to blend with your smile, so your newly restored tooth looks natural and matches the rest of your smile. If the infection occurs at the tip of the root, we could conduct a root canal surgery to address it here. We also have treatments should you undergo a root canal at another office and your tooth begins to hurt again.
Preventive Actions
You and your family can take steps to help lower your risk of tooth decay and dental infection. For example, reduce how much sugar is in your diet, and take time to brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes and floss every evening. Be sure you use a fluoride toothpaste to keep your enamel strong! Make time to see our team for a checkup and cleaning visit every six months too, so we can keep an eye on your smile and remove buildup that could weaken the outer enamel. Remember, a visit now is a chance to use your remaining 2024 dental benefits or health savings funds before they expire at the end of the year.
If you have any questions, then contact our team today to learn more.
Schedule An Appointment for Endodontics With Our Team!
We want to help you avoid tooth loss and discomfort by administering a root canal procedure. You can schedule an appointment with the team at My Dentist in Londonderry, NH, today by calling 603-965-3407.
