When does your smile benefit from a root canal procedure? We may suggest this endodontic treatment to bring comfort to smiles with an infected or abscessed tooth, preventing missing teeth and preserving the smile. In today’s blog, your Livonia, MI, dentist will talk about the benefits of our root canal treatment.
The Dangers of an Infected Tooth
An infection means that injury or an advanced cavity has allowed harmful bacteria to reach the inner pulp. Your pulp is a collection of living tissues that keeps your tooth functional, overseeing the flow of blood and key nutrients to and from the tooth. The resulting infection or abscess could lead to major discomfort and eventually the loss of your tooth. Which is why treatment with a root canal is so necessary! You should let us know when you experience sensitive teeth, toothaches, swelling near a tooth, a discharge from one, or pain when you bite down and chew. Severe discomfort that doesn’t pass after a few hours is often the sign of an infection that needs treatment right away!
Treating the Smile with Root Canal Therapy
Our team starts by examining the smile carefully. We want to identify the presence of an infection and assess the severity. To ensure you feel comfortable, we have local numbing agents and sedation, so even those with dental anxiety enjoy a comfortable experience. The procedure involves opening the tooth so we can access and remove the infected tissues from within. The interior of the tooth is thoroughly cleaned, and a special restorative filling is added. The final step involves capping the tooth with a crown. The crown not only prevents further damage or injury, but is designed to look natural too. You will be able to smile with confidence, and enjoy a comfortable smile once again.
Keeping the Smile Strong
Now, let’s talk about what you can do to avoid a cavity altogether. We suggest starting each day by brushing for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste, and doing the same before going to bed. You also need to floss every evening too! These actions help safeguard your smile, and eating a healthier diet is helpful too. You also need to see us too! A checkup twice a year lets us watch for your smile for the earliest sign of trouble. We also clean your teeth, removing the harmful bacteria and plaque that could weaken enamel and allow cavities to form.
DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY?
Our team wants to help find a lifelike and comfortable solution to your oral health concerns. For more information on treating an infected or abscessed tooth, then call the office of James Stewart, DDS in Livonia, MI, today at (734) 425-4400. You can also visit our office at 15873 Middlebelt Rd Suite 100 Livonia, MI 48151.