If the Root Canal of a tooth is infected, you need to visit a dentist as soon as possible. Endodontic treatment, commonly called root canal therapy, entails repairing a damaged and infected inner layer of the tooth. By performing the treatment, a dentist can save the infected root canals from abscess or extraction.
Root canals are hollow chambers in the tooth’s root containing the dental pulp and nerves. The dental pulp is made up of living material and nerve endings, which transmit information to the brain and cause pain or discomfort when inflamed or irritated. The pulp is the innermost layer of the teeth and can become damaged due to severe tooth decay or a compromised tooth structure.
If the tooth is healthy, the root canals should not be exposed to bacteria or plaque. However, if the tooth is cracked, badly damaged, chipped or the gum is infected, the root canal will be prone to infection. Root Canal can save a tooth with severe decay or dead pulp.
The most common sign that patients experience with exposed or infected root canals is tooth pain. Discomfort can occur as a persistent nagging ache or sharp pain when biting on food or taking a hot or cold drink. If the infected tooth is not treated promptly, the pain may stop eventually. Some patients may think erroneously that it means recovery, but the fact is that the nerve endings died and the infection is still there. The infection may spread and cause an abscess around the base of the tooth roots.
Root canal therapy is necessary to help save the tooth. If left untreated, the complications that result from an infected root canal will leave no choice but to extract the tooth to stop the infection from spreading to other nearby oral structures. Tooth loss due to injury or disease has adverse effects on the oral health and general wellbeing of the patient, so it is advisable to save the natural tooth if possible. Tooth replacement options are not exactly inexpensive, as well.
After the dentist examines the diseased or damaged tooth, they will suggest the most suitable treatment option after a professional evaluation. The procedure is done to clean the infection thoroughly from the pulp chamber of the tooth to stop the spread of infection. The tooth chamber will be filled, and a crown will be used to protect the tooth from further damage.
Compared to tooth extraction, root canal therapy is less invasive. The dentist will ensure the patient’s comfort throughout the procedure by using an appropriate anesthetic.
Before opting to remove an infected or diseased tooth, root canal therapy is an option to consider. If you have noticed any sign of infection or pain, make sure you reach out to our dental office as soon as possible to reserve an appointment.
Request an appointment here: https://ddaestheticdentistry.com or call D&D Family Dentistry at (540) 739-7589 for an appointment in our Fredericksburg office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Root Canal in Fredericksburg, VA.
A root canal is a necessary dental procedure that is needed after bacteria from an infection develops inside the pulp of a tooth from either an injury or a severe cavity. The name is derived from the cleaning of the canals that reside inside the tooth’s root. It is pertinent to get treated as soon…
Many dentists have limited their practices to emergency dentistry in response to the Centers for Disease Control's COVID-19 guidelines for healthcare providers and dentists. The coronavirus is an airborne microorganism that infects people by attaching itself to mucus membranes in the nose and mouth. It is a highly contagious virus that remains active on some…
An emergency dentist can provide the care you need if you end up with a dental problem that counts as an emergency. Some issues like an infected tooth simply cannot wait for a routine dental appointment. Waiting to get treatment for such an issue puts your health at risk and can leave you in agonizing…
An emergency dentist can fix you right up when dental emergencies occur. Serious injuries to the mouth clearly require emergency treatments, but other seemingly less serious dental problems might leave you wondering if you need an emergency dentist.This article will explore some common injuries that need immediate dental treatment:One of the most common reasons why…
Denture repair involves restoring broken dentures to like-new condition. Before the restoration, general dentists examine the dentures to check for various damage. Next, the dentist provides the lab technician with detailed instructions to ensure appropriate repairs occur. Following the exam, a patient's dentures undergo repair at a dental laboratory.Patients should never ignore their dentures if…
Your kid friendly dentist understands how difficult it is to motivate kids to brush their teeth. Children often think of brushing as a tiring activity. Proper motivation can help them form this healthy habit. If you want to give your kids stronger reasons to brush, here are some details from a kid friendly dentist.Brushing two…