When you have an infected tooth, this could mean persistent aches and even pain when you eat. You could also risk the stability of your smile without treatment! Which is why we want to help preserve your smile with endodontic therapy. In today’s blog, your Londonderry, NH, dentist talks about root canal therapy.

The Risks of Untreated Dental Infection

A tooth becomes infected when harmful bacteria can make contact with the pulp, the nerve center of your tooth. This could happen when a tooth is severely decayed or due to major injury that exposes the sensitive interior of the tooth. Without treatment, the infection will grow in severity until the tooth essentially dies, and could become lost or require extraction to prevent the spread of infection. Which is why we recommend contacting us right away when you experience warning signs of trouble. For example, if you notice a persistent toothache or sensitivity, pain when you eat or bite down, swelling near the tooth, or aches in the face and jaw, let us know right away. Other warning signs include a poor tasting discharge from the tooth.

The Root Canal Procedure

We will examine your smile with digital x-rays to assess the cause and extent of your infection. From there, we will choose the best treatment option, which could include a root canal. The procedure is a comfortable and effective one. We will numb your tooth to keep you comfortable as we open the tooth and remove the infected tissues from within. The next step is to clean the interior of the tooth and root canals. We add a special restorative filling material and then cap the tooth with a dental crown. The crown protects the tooth and ensures your bite is properly balanced, while also offering a lifelike appearance that blends with your smile.

Keeping You Comfortable

We know sometimes people assume the root canal is an uncomfortable experience, especially if someone has dental anxiety. But most people find it comparable to receiving a simple dental filling, because we take steps to keep you comfortable. We will administer a local numbing agent to the area being treated, and we can discuss dental sedation, which helps you enter a calm and relaxed state with little to no memory of the procedure at all. If you have any questions about treating infected teeth with a root canal, or about our steps to ensure your comfort during restorative treatments, then contact our team today to learn more.

Schedule an Endodontic Consultation

Our team wants to help you avoid tooth loss and discomfort due to an untreated dental infection. To schedule your visit for restorative treatment and use your 2023 dental benefits before they expire at the end of the year, give us a call at My Dentist in Londonderry, NH at (603)965-3407!