Saving Your Tooth With Root Canal Therapy

An infected tooth could lead to more than just serious discomfort. In some situations, you could lose the tooth and develop a wide range of complications, including misalignment. In order to preserve infected teeth, we may offer Albuquerque, NM, patients treatment with root canal therapy. What happens during a root canal and when should we talk to our dentist about one?

The Warning Signs

How does a tooth become infected? Well, the problem often starts as a cavity. Tooth decay occurs when injury or poor oral hygiene lets harmful bacteria reach past the enamel and into the dentin, a more sensitive tissue. Cavities then form, which grow unless treated. When the cavity reaches the inner pulp, your tooth’s nerve center, then an infection may arise.

Warning signs of an infected tooth include pain when eating, toothaches and tooth sensitivity, swelling near your tooth, a fever, and even a discharge from the tooth itself. Don’t ignore these warning signs, see us right away. Otherwise, lack of treatment could mean the infection killing the tooth and requiring extraction to prevent the spread of infection to other teeth.

The Root Canal Treatment

We will administer local anesthesia and if necessary, offer sedation. We then open the tooth and remove the infected tissue. Afterward, we clean the inside of the open tooth and add a restorative material. Once we cure the tooth, we will add a crown to cover it and prevent further decay or infected teeth. We will often create the dental crown using a lifelike material, such as ceramic. Once in place, your newly restored tooth will look natural and blend with the rest of your smile.

Preventing Infected Teeth

You should consider steps to avoid infection and safeguard your smile. We suggest brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes and flossing every night, which removes food particles and reduces the risk of a cavity. If you injure a tooth, leading to a crack or chip, then see us right away for treatment. Routine visits every six months for a checkup and cleaning also help protect your smile. These visits help limit the risk of infection forming, while also protecting smiles from tooth decay and gum disease. If you have any questions about our endodontic treatment option, or if you have an aching tooth in need of treatment, then contact our team today.

Do You Need Endodontic Treatment?

At Snow Park Dental, Dr. Mark A. Miller and our team offer a solution to dental infections, helping preserve smiles. Talk to our team today about our restorative dental options. Contact us today at (505) 596-4479 to schedule a consultation at our Albuquerque, NM, office. We welcome patients and families from Rio Rancho, Tijeras, Los Lunas, and all surrounding communities.

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