Fear Losing Your Tooth to an Infection Instead of Root Canals

When intimated by the dentist’s office near you of the need to undergo the root canal procedure, you probably concentrate on the fearsome reputation of the treatment. Never for a moment do you consider how tooth loss can affect you if you overlook the dentist’s advice?

Instead of risking the loss of a tooth, wouldn’t you find it beneficial to learn what root canals are to undergo the treatment fearlessly? Root canals are a dental procedure for removing the soft pulp within the center of the tooth, housing the nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue helping the tooth grow during its developmental stages.

Dentist 75227 performs root canals, giving you local anesthesia in most cases unless you are incredibly anxious and want more potent anesthesia during the procedure.

Please continue reading to learn more about this relatively standard procedure and some risks associated with root canals.

When May You Need Root Canal Treatment?

Root canal treatment becomes necessary when the soft center of the tooth, the pulp becomes inflamed or infected for various reasons. The crown of your tooth visible over the gum line remains intact even when the pulp inside is deceased. Removal of the injured or infected pulp is the optimal way to preserve the structure of your tooth.

You may have incurred damage to the pulp because of the following reasons:

• Multiple dental procedures on the same tooth.
• Deep decay from an untreated cavity.
• Chips or cracks in the tooth.
• Injuries to the tooth without displaying any visible signs damaging the pulp within.

The most familiar symptoms of the damaged pulp include pain in your tooth, swelling, and sensitivity to heat in your gums. Your dentist takes x-rays of the tooth after examining it to confirm the diagnosis before scheduling the procedure or referring you to the dentist in Dallas, an endodontist specializing in root canals.

The Root Canal Procedure

When you visit the specialist for root canal treatment in Dallas, you initially have some topical local anesthesia applied to your gums near the affected tooth. After the topical anesthesia takes effect, local anesthesia is injected into your gums, making you feel a slight pinch which quickly passes away. You remain awake during the procedure, responding to any queries by the dentist.

After your tooth is entirely numb, the dentist makes a tiny opening in the crown of your tooth to expose the infected or inflamed pulp. The specialist removes the pulp using special instruments designed for the purpose. There are particularly careful to clean out all the canals in the tooth.

After pulp removal, the dentist coats the area with topical antibiotics to prevent reinfection. After cleaning and disinfecting the canals, the dentist fills and seals the tooth with a rubber-like material gutta-percha. The tiny opening in the crown of your tooth is also seemed with a temporary filling to prevent damages to the canals by saliva.

Root Canal After-Care

Soreness in your tooth and gums is natural after the numbing medication begins wearing off. You receive recommendations from the specialist to either take over-the-counter painkillers or prescribed painkillers as instructed. If you experience severe pain lasting for more than a few days, it helps contact the specialist for advice.

You can begin your regular activities the day after undergoing root canal treatment. Remember, you must avoid chewing with the treated tooth until the dentist permanently restores it.

You can revisit your dentist within a few days after undergoing the procedure when they take further x-rays to determine the infection within is eradicated. The dentist also replaces the temporary filling in the crown of your tooth with a permanent filling. If you prefer, you can have a permanent crown placed on your tooth made from porcelain or gold. Dental crowns appear realistic and are incredibly durable, making them an excellent choice for restoring teeth.

Why Mustn’t Root Canals Instill Fear in Your Mind?

Removal of the infected or inflamed pulp from within your tooth helps the Dallas dentist preserve the crown, although in a weaker state. Root canals mustn’t instill fear in you because the only alternative to this relatively simple treatment is the extraction of your tooth, requiring you to spend considerable time and money searching for replacement teeth at exorbitant prices.

Root canal treatment costs you a fraction of what a replacement tooth would besides helping you avoid multiple visits to dentist’s offices. Most importantly, the therapy permits you to preserve your natural tooth undergoing a procedure in a couple of appointments with the Dallas dentist’s office.