When a tooth becomes infected, the patient not only experiences serious pain, but a risk of losing the tooth altogether. In order to halt the infection and preserve the tooth, we may suggest a safe and comfortable root canal treatment. How does a root canal work and when should residents of Olathe, KS, see us for treatment?
The Causes of an Infection
How does a tooth become infected? Often, the issue occurs when a tooth develops a cavity or becomes cracked. The decay or injury then exposes the sensitive inner layers of tooth structure, allowing bacteria to enter and reach the pulp. Your tooth’s nerve center, the pulp keeps your tooth alive and healthy. An infection occurs when bacteria comes into contact with your pulp, causing serious discomfort. If you experience persistent pain in your tooth, always let your Olathe dentist known as soon as possible.
The Dangers of Ignoring Your Discomfort
Patients with an infected tooth often report toothaches and tooth sensitivity, pain when eating, swelling near the tooth, fever, headaches, and even a discharge from the tooth. Over time, the issue could grow worse and eventually cause the tooth to die. You may need to undergo an extraction to prevent the spread of infection to surrounding teeth or into the jawbone itself. To halt the problem, we often recommend an endodontic procedure commonly known as root canal therapy. The procedure stops the progression of your health issue and preserves your natural tooth, keeping your smile healthy and whole.
The Root Canal Procedure
We begin by administering a local anesthesia to ensure the patient feels comfortable. If you have anxiety about the procedure, we may also discuss sedation options. Next, we open the tooth to extract the infected tissue within. Afterward, we thoroughly clean the inside of your tooth. A restorative material known as gutta percha will be added to the interior of the tooth and cured. The final step involves placing a crown. Custom-made from lifelike ceramic and designed to blend with your smile, the crown addresses the physical appearance of your tooth while protecting your tooth from further oral health concerns. Following treatment, your tooth will look natural and blend with the rest of your smile. If you have any questions about the endodontic process. Or if you have pain in one or more of your teeth, then contact our team today.
Does Your Tooth Hurt?
Don’t let an untreated infection compromise the health and stability of your smile, find out what restorative options we offer our patients. To schedule a consultation and discuss our restorative dental treatments, such as root canal therapy, then call E-Care Dentistry in Olathe, KS, today at 913-210-1701. We also proudly serve patients from Edgerton, Shawnee, Johnson County, and all surrounding communities.