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://www.drearlweisbrod.com or call Empire Dental - Earl Weisbrod, DMD at (602) 567-4883 for an appointment in our Phoenix office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Root Canal in Phoenix, AZ.
Anyone who has experienced a Dental Emergency can attest it is not fun. Not only is it painful, but it can also be scary. Even those who take good care of their teeth can experience a dental trauma, but the situation can be less stressful if one knows what to do.Following the appropriate steps can…
Routine dental care may be on hold, but you might wonder about emergency dentistry. If you have a dental emergency, you can still get the care you need. This is even more the case if you have a life-threatening issue, such as an infection. Read on to learn more about what to do if you…
Curious about emergency dentistry during the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease pandemic? The COVID-19 outbreak has caused many dentists to limit their elective services and transition into only treating patients who need emergency dentistry. Due to this, it is important for people to understand what constitutes a dental emergency. One of the more common oral health concerns…
An emergency dentist has the ability to do just as much as a traditional dentist can, which includes prescribing medication for injuries. Mediations can help speed along the healing process, and in some cases, it may be necessary in order for healing to take place at all.Want to know if an emergency dentist can provide…