Root Canal Therapy
Your teeth are pretty amazing. They are the strongest substances in the body and are able to withstand a substantial amount of daily use. However, even though they are strong, they can still be damaged and decay. Certain types of damage can compromise the structural integrity of your teeth and can also cause serious infections. At Sussex Dental, we can restore the health of infected teeth with root canal therapy.
How Do I Get an Infection?From the outside, your teeth look normal. All that we see is the hard-exterior layer, the enamel. Below the enamel is the dentin. While still hard, it is not as hard as the enamel. It also contains the hollow canals that lead to the roots of the teeth. Below the dentin is the pulp chamber and the pulp. The pulp is the soft tissue that contains blood vessels and nerves. When damage to your tooth progresses past the enamel and into the inner layers, this provides a path for bacteria in your mouth to enter the tooth. Once there, the bacteria begin to irritate the pulp, which then leads to inflammation. This can also lead to serious pain. The longer the infection goes untreated, the worse it becomes. As bacteria continue to multiply, they spill out of the tooth root and into the jaw. A dental abscess or fluid-filled sac forms to attempt to contain the bacteria. Abscesses continue to grow larger in size. They may even rupture, which can allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body.
Symptoms of a Tooth InfectionOne of the biggest indicators of an infection is a toothache. There are several other symptoms that can occur as well, including:| • |
Swelling of the jaw and face near the infected tooth.
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Persistent bad taste in your mouth after brushing and flossing.
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Sensitivity or pain that lingers even after the irritant is gone.
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Loss of bone mass in your jaw.
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A dental abscess. An abscess is a clear indication of an infection. |
Diagnosing Your Tooth InfectionBefore receiving treatment for a tooth infection, it is important that you receive a thorough oral exam to diagnose its presence. This involves a visual exam of your teeth, during which we check for signs of damage and decay. We also look over your gums for signs of infections. Next, we take x-rays of your teeth. These images allow us to check for root damage and dental abscesses. If we detect an infection, we then create a customized treatment plan just for you.
Restoring the Health of Your MouthTypically done under a local anesthetic, root canal therapy begins by creating a small hole in the affected tooth to achieve access. Next, small tools are used to remove the pulp and the nerves from the tooth. The canals are cleaned and shaped, and the entire interior of the tooth is disinfected. A filling material is placed inside the empty space, which helps to effectively seal the cleaned canals. Finally, the tooth is prepared for and given a crown, which restores the strength of the tooth and protects it from a new infection. With a root canal, we can restore the health of your mouth, preventing the need for a tooth extraction. For more information, and to schedule your consultation, call Sussex Dental today ay (262) 246-6806. |
