When Your Smile Needs Root Canal Treatment

August 16, 2022

When a tooth becomes infected, a dental filling may not be enough to bring relief and prevent complications. Instead, your smile may need an endodontic treatment known as root canal therapy. In today’s blog, your Olathe, KS, dentist talks about how we treat and preserve smiles with a restorative treatment.

The Dangers of Your Infected Tooth

xray of teeth canal

At the center of every tooth is the pulp, the nerve center that keeps the tooth healthy and functional. But when the pulp is exposed to bacteria, this could mean a painful dental infection. This exposure could happen due to untreated tooth decay, or possibly a tooth that is cracked or chipped, or is worn down by grinding and clenching. The warning signs include pain when eating, toothaches, sensitivity when you eat or speak, headaches, jaw pain, swelling near the teeth, or a discharge from the tooth itself. When you encounter one or more of these warning signs, then contact our team right away for a diagnosis.

Root Canal Care

Our team will use advanced digital technology to assess the presence and position of the infection, so we can plan the root canal treatment with precision and accuracy. Our team will administer a local anesthetic to keep you comfortable, and can also help with sedation for anxious patients. We then open the tooth to remove the infected tissues. The interior of the tooth is then thoroughly cleaned. A special restorative material known as gutta percha is added. Finally, we cap the tooth with a dental crown. The crown will be custom-made to ensure not only a comfortable fit, but a lifelike appearance too. This helps you avoid the risk of worsening pain or the loss of the tooth.

Taking Preventive Actions

You can then take action to help prevent the onset of infection. For example, you should brush twice a day, when you wake up and again before bed. Each session should take two minutes. You also need to floss before going to sleep too. Cutting back on sugary foods and drinks can help as well, and you should see us for a checkup and cleaning visit every six months too. If you have any questions about how we protect smiles and keep them strong and healthy, then contact our team today. We want to help you maintain a strong and healthy smile.

Do You Have Any Questions About Restoring Smiles?

Our team wants to help safeguard your smile from serious complications. Schedule an appointment today and learn more about addressing an infected tooth. You can also call E-Care Dentistry in Olathe, KS, today at 913-586-2718. Find our office at 15010 S Black Bob Road Olathe, KS 66062. We also proudly serve patients from Overland Park, Lenexa, and all surrounding communities.