Root Canal Therapy Stops Dental Infection

When a tooth is infected, you need to seek treatment to prevent worsening pain and the risk of tooth loss. For a gentle and effective approach to treatment, we can offer endodontic solutions, which treat concerns in the interior of a tooth. In today’s blog, your North Hollywood, CA, dentist talks about the benefits of root canal therapy.

The Causes and Warning Signs of an Infected Tooth

At the center of each tooth is a collection of nerve tissues referred to as the pulp. These are protected by the dentin and the outer enamel, but once untreated tooth decay or infection exposes the sensitive pulp to bacteria, an infection could develop. Lack of treatment means serious discomfort and the risk of tooth loss or an extraction, which leaves behind a gap in your smile. You should let us know the moment you experience persistent pain in a tooth, such as sensitivity, pain when eating, swelling, or a discharge from the tooth. If you have aches in the jaw and face, let us know too. Our team will employ digital x-rays to identify the position and assess the severity of the infection, so we can offer a root canal to save the tooth.

The Root Canal Treatment

Once we examine the tooth and plan treatment, we will numb the area and if you have anxiety, we could also offer sedation to help you enter a calm and relaxed state. Our team then opens the tooth to access and remove the infected tissues from within the tooth. Next, we clean the interior of the tooth and the root canals. A special restorative material is then added to the interior of the tooth. The last step is to cap the tooth with a crown custom-made for your smile, so the restorations look great and safeguard the tooth too.

Protecting Your Smile

With the right steps, you can take action to help lower your risk of future infections or cavities, so you don’t need root canals or fillings. For example, eating less sugar and starch in your diet, combined with brushing and flossing daily, can help prevent decay and infection. You also protect your smile with a checkup and cleaning every six months as well. If you have any questions about how our team treats teeth with a root canal, or about recognizing the symptoms of an infection, then contact our team today to learn more.

Do You Need Endodontic Treatment?

We want to protect your smile from tooth loss and serious discomfort with our endodontic treatments, preserving your smile and preventing discomfort. To schedule a visit for an endodontic procedure or any other necessary treatment for your smile, give us a call at Modern Smiles in North Hollywood, CA at (818)763-9353.