A dental infection could mean pain when you eat, persistent toothaches, and even serious risks for complications with your overall health. Fortunately, our team can offer relief with a root canal procedure. In today’s blog, your Astoria, NY, dentist talks about how we treat infected teeth with endodontic therapy.
Dental Infections and Discomfort
A dental infection means that harmful bacteria have made contact with the pulp, the nerve center of each tooth. This could happen as a result of an untreated cavity or a serious injury that exposes the interior of the tooth. People may experience toothaches, tooth sensitivity when they eat or bite down, pain in the face or jaw, or headaches. There could be swelling near the tooth or possibly a discharge from it, along with a fever. When you have persistent pain in a tooth, you should see us right away. Otherwise, the tooth could require extraction eventually to prevent the spread of infection to other parts of your smile!
Keeping You Comfortable
We know hearing the words “root canal” can make people feel nervous. But we take time to ensure the experience is a comfortable and positive one for you, even if you have anxiety about seeing the dentist. Our team can numb the rear directly with a local anesthesia. We also have sedation, with options like nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation to help you enter a deep state of calm, with little to no memory of the procedure. We also plan the procedure in detail with digital x-ray imaging, so we can ensure the procedure is effective and comfortable.
Root Canal Therapy
When you are properly sedated and ready, our team will open the tooth so that we can access and remove the inner tissues. Once we do, we will clean the side of the tooth thoroughly and add a special restorative filling known as gutta percha. At this stage, we will cap the tooth with a crown. The restoration will be custom-made for your smile from durable and often lifelike materials, so you feel good about your smile and the remaining natural structure is protected from further decay and infection. You then leave with a restored and comfortable smile.
If you have any questions about how we take on advanced tooth decay or infection with a root canal, or if you have pain in a tooth that needs attention, then contact our team today to get started. We want to help you feel confident in your smile and enjoy optimal oral health and proper bite function too.
Schedule Your Appointment for Our Restorative Treatment
Our team wants to help you avoid the pain of an infected tooth and keep your smile full. To schedule your next appointment with our team, contact Jeffrey Leibowitz, DDS in Astoria, NY by calling 718-728-8320 today.
