When a tooth becomes infected or abscessed, this means uncomfortable symptoms and even lost teeth. Treatment with a root canal could correct the issue and bring relief, saving your tooth. In today’s blog, your Astoria, NY, dentist talks about how to treat dental infection and bring relief with lifelike results.
The Impact of Dental Infection
An infection could mean serious discomfort, with pain when you chew and bite down, persistent aches and sensitivity, and even swelling and a poor-tasting discharge from the tooth in severe cases. The infection means that harmful bacteria reached the inner pulp, the nerve center within each tooth. This may be caused by an untreated cavity, which continues to grow and spread, or an injury that exposes the inner dentin and pulp. Without treatment, this could cause the tooth to require extraction to prevent the spread of infection to other parts of the smile. Which is why when you experience discomfort, you should let us know right away.
Ensuring a Comfortable Experience
A root canal is an endodontic treatment, one that is very effective at treating infected teeth and abscesses, saving the tooth and bringing relief. We take steps to ensure the procedure itself is a comfortable one. In addition to a local anesthesia applied near the tooth in question, we could also discuss sedation to help you enter a calm and relaxed state with little to no memory of the procedure afterward. We don’t want dental anxiety to stand between you and the treatment necessary to preserve and protect your smile!
Root Canal Therapy
First, our team will gather detailed digital x-rays of the tooth so we can identify the presence of infection and pinpoint the location. This enables us to plan the treatment with precision and accuracy. When we’re ready, we will numb the tooth so we can open it and remove the infected tissues from within. Once we do, our team will thoroughly clean the interior of the tooth and the root canals. A special material known as gutta percha is then placed within the tooth. Finally, we cap the tooth with a dental crown, one designed to look natural, blend with the smile, and provide durable restoration.
Afterward, you can help lower your risk of future infection with better brushing and flossing habits, a healthier diet, and regular visits for checkups and cleanings every six months. If you have any questions about root canal therapy, then contact our team today.
Your Astoria, NY, Dentist Can Treat Infected Teeth
We would like to help you enjoy a healthy, whole, and beautiful smile again. To learn more about our restorative treatment options, then schedule a consultation by calling Jeffrey Leibowitz, DDS, in Astoria, NY, today at 718-728-8320.
