When a tooth becomes infected, this could lead to serious discomfort and, without treatment, the loss of a tooth. To stop pain and keep your smile whole, our team wants to offer a root canal procedure. In today’s blog, your Oklahoma City, OK, dentist talks about our approach to endodontic treatment.
Dental Infection and Missing Teeth
A tooth becomes infected once harmful oral bacteria reach the inner dentin, the nerve center of your tooth. This could occur due to an injury, or in most cases, an untreated cavity that grows and spreads throughout the tooth. You could experience toothaches, tooth sensitivity, pain when you bite down or chew, swelling, or a discharge from the tooth. Without treatment, the infection could cause the pulp of the tooth to die, effectively killing the tooth. You could lose the tooth, or extraction could be necessary to avoid the spread of infection. But we can help you avoid tooth loss by treating your infected tooth with a root canal.
Root Canal Therapy
To get started with your root canal, we will take detailed digital x-rays of the tooth to pinpoint the position of the infection and assess the severity. We then numb the tooth to ensure you are comfortable as we open the tooth and remove the tissues from within. Next, we clean the inside of the tooth and then add a special restorative material known as gutta percha. Finally, we cap the tooth with a dental crown, a restoration that is custom-made for your smile to ensure a natural appearance and a durable chewing surface.
Taking a Preventive Approach
Following your treatment, we can discuss ways to help limit the risk of future decay or infection. For example, you can brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste and floss every evening before going to bed. Try to avoid too much sugar in your diet, and steer clear of tobacco products. These actions help limit the risk of poor oral health, and you can also enjoy bright and healthy smiles for years to come. If you have any questions about how we diagnose and treat an infected tooth, or if you have an ache in a tooth, then let us know right away. We want to help you smile with confidence again!
Talk To Your Oklahoma City, OK Dentist About Endodontic Treatment
We want to help you avoid the risk of serious pain and tooth loss, which is why we offer root canal therapy. If you would like to find out more about how we treat an infected tooth, then call our Oklahoma City, OK dental practice at (405) 752-0111. Let’s work together to keep your smile healthy and whole for years to come!