Did you know that unless treated, an infected tooth could lead to tooth loss or even require an extraction to protect the rest of your smile? To help treat infected teeth and restore health and beauty to the smile, your Brighton, MA, dentists may recommend a safe and comfortable endodontic treatment known as root canal therapy.
The Causes of an Infection
At the very center of each tooth is a collection of living tissues known as the pulp, which controls the flow of blood and nutrients to and from the tooth, keeping your smile healthy and functional. However, when harmful bacteria come into contact with the pulp, which is possible through tooth decay or injured teeth, this leads to infection. Warning signs could include a persistent toothache or sensitivity, pain when you bite down or chew, swelling near the tooth, a discharge from it, or headaches and jaw pain. If one or more of these potential symptoms seems familiar to you, then please contact our team right away.
Tooth Loss
Just like the way a cavity grows in severity, so will an infection. Eventually, the pulp itself could die, which effectively kills your tooth. At this stage, you will need to have the tooth extracted to prevent the spread of infection to other teeth or into the jawbone itself, or it could fall out with time. To avoid these major oral health complications, you need to seek treatment as quickly as possible. If you happen to attend six-month checkup and cleaning visits on schedule, then we will likely identify the issue in the earliest stages of decay and treat it before you require more extensive solutions.
The Root Canal Procedure
The root canal procedure begins with the administration of anesthesia and sedation, ensuring you feel calm and comfortable throughout the procedure. Next, we will open the tooth to access and remove all infected tissues. We then fill the tooth with a special restorative material. Finally, we cap the tooth with a custom-made and durable dental crown, which preserves bite balance, looks natural, and protects the tooth from further decay or infection. If you have any questions about our root canal procedure, then please contact our team today to learn more. Remember, routine checkups and cleanings, combined with proper brushing and flossing at home, could help protect your smile from developing issues like this, and preserve your health, beauty, and function.
Do You Have an Aching Tooth?
Our team can help treat infected teeth and prevent major oral health complications. To learn more about our endodontic treatments, 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.
