When a tooth is fractured, this not only impacts esthetics, but could also leave your tooth vulnerable to issues like tooth decay or even an infection or abscess. When this happens, you may need a root canal procedure. When do your El Paso, TX, dentists recommend endodontic care to address damaged or aching teeth?
The Dangers of a Fractured Tooth
When your tooth sustains an injury, you should let us know. Even if no damage is apparent, that doesn’t mean you don’t have a fracture, as this could be nearly invisible to the naked eye. A dental fracture could expose the inner dentin to bacteria, allowing a cavity to form. Over time, cavities spread until the inner pulp is exposed to bacteria, allowing an infection to form. The fracture itself could also expose the pulp chamber and lead to a painful infection. Treatment is crucial for preventing the loss of your tooth! Warning signs include pain when you bite down or chew, swelling near a tooth or a discharge from it, headaches, and tooth sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks.
The Root Canal Process
If you experience one or more of the warning signs we’ve discussed above, then please contact our team today. We will schedule an appointment to see you and perform a root canal. We start by administering a local anesthetic, then we open the tooth to remove the infected tissues from within. After we clean the interior of the tooth, we add and cure a restorative filling. Finally, we cap the tooth with a durable and lifelike dental crown. Other situations aside from fractured teeth that benefit from endodontic care include failed fillings, crowns, or previous root canals, as well as chipped teeth.
Preventing Damage and Decay
To help protect your smile from further cases of infection or decay, we suggest wearing a mouthguard when you play sports. You should take time each to brush for two minutes when you wake and again before bed, and to also floss thoroughly each night before bed. These actions help remove stray food particles and reduce the risk of issues like cavities and infections. Try to cut back on sugary and starchy foods too, as the particles left behind in your smile could feed harmful bacteria., If you have any questions about treating root canal issues, then contact our team today. We want to help you enjoy a healthier and stronger smile.
SUNNY SMILES IN EL PASO PROVIDES RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY
At Sunny Smiles in El Paso, TX, our team provides lifelike repair for serious issues like infection or abscesses. For more information on restorative dentistry, then contact our N. Zaragoza dental practice by calling 915-849-9000.