Categories: Restorative Dentistry

How Root Canals Stop Dental Infections

When you have an infected tooth, this could mean serious discomfort and without treatment, the risk of a missing tooth could increase. But our team can offer relief and preserve your tooth with restorative dentistry. In today’s blog, your Maple Grove, MN, dentist talks about how we save teeth with a root canal procedure, keeping your smile whole and beautiful.

The Cause and Warning Signs of an Infected Tooth

At the center of your tooth is a collection of nerve tissues, the pulp that keeps your tooth functional and healthy. A dental infection means that harmful oral bacteria have reached the pulp, and lack of treatment could mean the pulp dies, effectively killing your tooth and allowing infection to spread and the tooth to be lost. The underlying factors could include untreated tooth decay or injury to the tooth that compromises the outer enamel. You may experience tooth sensitivity when you eat or drink, a prolonged toothache, swelling near the tooth, pain when you bite down or chew, or even a discharge from the tooth, along with facial pain. Don’t ignore these warning signs, come see us to find out if you need a root canal.

Planning Your Root Canal Procedure

The root canal enables our team to remove the infected tissues and save the tooth from being lost, while also protecting the rest of your smile from the spread of infection too. To begin, we will take detailed digital x-rays so we can assess the position and extent of your infection, and plan treatment accordingly. We will numb the area being treated with a local anesthesia, and could discuss sedation if you have dental anxiety, so you enter a calm and relaxed state throughout the process.

Endodontic Treatment

When you’re ready, we will open the tooth and remove the infected tissues from within. We then thoroughly clean the interior of your tooth and root canals. A special restorative filling, known as gutta percha, is then added. We will cap the tooth with a dental crown, a restoration that fits over the treated tooth. The crown is designed to provide a durable chewing surface, protect the tooth, and also a lifelike appearance, shaded to blend with your smile seamlessly.

To lower the risk of future cavities or infections, we could offer checkups and cleanings every six months, and also discuss proper brushing and flossing and a better diet at home. If you have any questions about how we conduct a root canal to save your tooth and prevent tooth loss, then contact our team today. Don’t ignore your infected tooth, see us right away!