When a tooth becomes infected, this could lead to serious discomfort and the threat of major trouble for your smile. This could include tooth loss! But with an endodontic treatment, we treat the issues in the interior of your tooth and bring relief. In today’s blog, your El Paso, TX, dentists talk about root canal therapy.
The Causes of Painful Infections
A dental infection occurs when harmful oral bacteria reach the pulp, the nerve center of your tooth. This happens when decay spreads through the dentin to reach the pulp, or via an injury that exposes the interior of the tooth to bacteria. When this occurs, you could have pain when you eat and bite down, or a persistent toothache. Pain in the face and jaw is common too, as is swelling near the tooth or a discharge from it. When you experience one or more of these possible warning signs, then let us know right away so we can begin treatment. Our team wants to use a root canal to save your tooth!
Preparing Your Smile
To begin your root canal, we will conduct a detailed examination so we can assess the cause and position of the infection, planning treatment in detail. We then numb the area around the tooth to ensure you’re comfortable during the procedure. If you have dental anxiety, then our team could discuss dental sedation to help you enter a calm and relaxed state, with little to no memory of the procedure afterward. We want to ensure all patients, even those with dental anxiety, enjoy their time in our office and receive the treatment necessary to preserve their smiles.
Root Canal Therapy
Once you’re ready for treatment, we will open the tooth so we can access and remove the infected tissues from within. Once we do, we will thoroughly clean the interior of the tooth and then add a special restorative material referred to as gutta percha. Once the area cures, we will cap the tooth with a crown. The custom-made dental crown fits comfortably and ensures your bite is properly balanced. The material is also shaded to blend with the smile seamlessly, ensuring beautiful results.
Afterward, you can help limit your risk of future decay and infection with a healthy diet high in vitamin C and D, daily brushing and flossing, and of course, visits every six months for a checkup and cleaning. If you have any questions about root canal therapy, then give us a call today.
TALK TO SUNNY SMILES IN EL PASO, TX, ABOUT RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY
With the right endodontic treatment, we can preserve your smile and protect your tooth! If you’re ready to treat your infected tooth, then contact our Sunny Smiles location on N Zaragoza Rd in El Paso, TX at 915-849-9000.