Few procedures seem to make our patients nervous like a root canal. We find this unfortunate since the procedure is safe, comfortable, and often found to be comparable to receiving a simple dental filling. In today’s blog, we’re going to take a look at what makes this endodontic procedure so vital for safeguarding your oral health, especially in the face of infections or abscesses.
Treating Infections
When a cavity remains untreated, or a broken or fractured tooth remains unrepaired, bacteria can eventually reach our inner pulp. A bundle of living tissue at the center of the tooth, the pulp keeps the tooth alive and healthy, overseeing the flow of blood and nutrients to and from the tooth. Once bacteria reach the pulp, an infection can arise. Over time, patients can begin to experience toothaches, pain when chewing, swelling around the tooth, fever, and a bad tasting discharge.
Without treatment, the pulp dies, which effectively kills the tooth. The tooth now requires extraction to prevent the spread of infection to surrounding teeth or the jawbone itself. In order to avoid a gap in your smile due to tooth loss, you should have the infection treated as soon as possible.
The Root Canal Treatment
If you notice persistent pain in your tooth, or your dentist identifies the presence of advanced decay, infection, or an abscess, a root canal may be prescribed. We administer a local anesthetic and then open the tooth, removing the infected tissue for within. We then clean the interior of the tooth and apply a restorative filling. After the filling cures, we top the tooth with a custom-made and lifelike dental crown. Your tooth will look completely natural, while the crown protects it from further decay or infection. If you would like to learn more, then please contact our team today.
Do You Need Root Canal Therapy?
At Jeffrey Leibowitz, DDS, we can treat infected teeth and restore the health and beauty of your smile. We’ve proudly served our patients in Astoria, NY (including Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and all surrounding communities) since 1991. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Leibowitz, call our office in Astoria today at 718-728-8320.
