root canal

When a tooth develops serious decay, or a full-on dental infection, this could result in major discomfort. The pain in your smile could grow worse with time, and even lead to tooth loss. However, with endodontic care, your Brighton, MA, dentists can restore comfort to your smile. In today’s blog, let’s talk about the benefits of tackling infection with a root canal procedure.

The Causes of Infected Teeth

The pulp, a collection of living tissues, oversees the flow of blood and nutrients to and from the tooth, keeping it alive and functional. However, when bacteria come into contact with the pulp, this causes a serious infection. The causes could vary, but often include untreated cavities, which spread with time. An injury, such as breakage or a fracture, could also expose the pulp to bacteria. When you begin to experience tooth sensitivity, toothaches, swelling in the tooth, headaches, and a discharge from the tooth, please let us know right away!

Don’t Ignore Your Discomfort

When you develop the symptoms we discussed above, let us know right away. We will perform a detailed exam with advanced technology, identifying the presence of a cavity or infection in the earliest stages. This is also a good reason to always attend six-month checkup and cleaning visits! Without treatment, the infection may grow so severe that it could spread to surrounding teeth. The tooth may need to be removed to prevent further infection, or could cause the tooth to come loose and fall out. Tooth loss alone is linked to even more severe complications for your smile’s health and function.

Restoring Health and Comfort with Endodontics

To start treatment, we will administer a local anesthetic and possibly sedation to ensure you feel calm and comfortable throughout the entire process. Next, we will open the tooth to access and extract the infected tissues from within. We then clean the interior of the tooth before filling it with a special restorative material typically referred to as gutta percha. Finally, we cap the tooth with a lifelike and custom-made dental crown. The restoration ensures your remaining tooth structure is protected, and also ensures an attractive appearance. Following treatment, improvements to your diet and how well you brush and floss can help prevent future cases of infected teeth. If you have any questions about the treatment process, or about improving oral health, then contact our team today.

Let’s Talk About Root Canal Therapy

Endodontic care could help restore health and beauty to your smile. To learn more about our approach to restorative dentistry, then schedule a consultation by calling Brighton Family Dental Group in Brighton, MA, today at (617) 562-5210. We proudly welcome patients from Brighton, Watertown, and all surrounding communities.