Root Canal Therapy for a Tooth Infection

Wondering whether root canal therapy is in your near future? The only way to know is to make an appointment with a general dentist for a full oral evaluation. While most dental patients know they have a problem tooth, not all tooth infections cause pain.

About tooth infections

A tooth infection occurs when bacteria are able to get inside of a tooth. Some of the more common reasons why someone would experience a tooth infection is because they have been diagnosed with severe tooth decay, gum disease or have a chip or crack in a tooth, which allows the bacteria to enter. Once a dentist officially diagnoses a patient with a tooth infection, the next step is scheduling an appointment to undergo root canal therapy.

The root canal procedure

A root canal procedure is used to save a tooth that is severely decayed or has become infected. The information below allows those who are in need of root canal therapy to understand the procedure they will need to undergo in order to repair their infected tooth. Most root canal treatments require a patient to make two separate appointments.

Oral evaluation, X-rays

The first thing a dentist will do is perform a complete mouth evaluation on the patient and take necessary X-rays. X-rays allow a dentist to see the shape of the root canals, as well as understand whether the infection has already affected the surrounding bone. The importance of this first step should not be underrated, as this information tells a dentist exactly what is needed in order to address the patient's tooth infection. Once the dentist understands how to properly and efficiently treat the tooth, it is time to move on to the next step.

Local anesthesia to numb the area

Next, patients will be given local anesthesia so they will not feel any discomfort or pain while the root canal procedure is being performed. Since there are a few different options for numbing the area around the tooth, patients can discuss their options with their dentist in order to understand which option is ideal for them. Once the area is completely numbed, the actual root canal procedure can begin.

A small hole is drilled in the tooth

The last part of root canal therapy requires a dentist to make an access hole in the tooth, as this allows them to remove the infection. This means removing all of the pulp within the tooth as well as the tooth’s nerves to ensure that all of the infection is addressed. It is also necessary to treat all of the canals of each root of the tooth, which requires a dentist to clean, shape and disinfect all of the canals. Once the infection is removed from all of the root canals, a special dental material is used to seal the tooth.

Root canal therapy saves teeth

Once a tooth becomes infected, the infection will only continue to worsen until the infection is removed. Root canal procedures are typically both safe and painless, allowing those who are living with an infected tooth to keep the tooth in their mouth, which is always preferred.

Request an appointment here: https://www.bridgewaterfamilydental.com or call Bridgewater Family Dental at (513) 712-9642 for an appointment in our Hamilton office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Root Canal Treatment in Hamilton, OH.

 

Related Posts

Indications For A Root Canal: What To Look Out For

A root canal is a procedure that dentists can perform to stop infection inside a tooth by removing its pulp, or the material in the center of a tooth. Since teeth are made of enamel and other hard materials, they do not swell up to warn you that an infection might be present, like other…

The Root Canal: Is It The Best Option Or Is There Another Way?

Root canal. Medieval torture. Both phrases make even the bravest of us a little queasy, but root canals are actually legal. Our natural response to, "You need a root canal," is, "Do I have to?"If you have ever considered putting up with an aching tooth forever just to avoid a root canal, this article is…

Why A Root Canal Treatment Is Done

Root canal treatment, also known as endodontic therapy, isn’t something most people think about daily, but it’s one of the most common treatments available. If you experience pain in your teeth and are considering treatment, then you may have heard of endodontic therapy, which can save your teeth and make sure you have good oral…

What Is The Purpose Of A Root Canal?

Preparing for an upcoming root canal? This procedure is one that often causes anxiety; however, modern-day dentistry has allowed for serious innovations in technology, thus ensuring positive results that are achieved with little to no discomfort involved. In general dentistry, a root canal falls under the category of restorative work. When a tooth is in bad…

Bridgewater Family Dental

Share
Published by
Bridgewater Family Dental

Recent Posts

The Importance of Seeing a Preventive Dentist Regularly

Fortunately, a preventive dentist provides many valuable services that can help your smile last a…

3 weeks ago

Endodontics Treatment for Tooth Pain

Endodontics treatment, which is the treatment of the tooth's inner pulp and structures, is one…

2 months ago

Top Reasons to Consider Dental Veneers for Your Teeth

Dental veneers are coverings that sit on the front, visible surfaces of the teeth.

3 months ago

4 Reasons to Get General Dentistry Preventive Treatments

Preventive care often gets overlooked as it relates to general dentistry, however, it plays a…

4 months ago

Go to an Emergency Dentist for a Gum Laceration

In the unlikely event that you suffer from a significant laceration to the inner mouth,…

5 months ago

Indications for a Root Canal: What To Look Out For

You should know the symptoms that indicate the need for a root canal, so you…

6 months ago