When you have serious pain in your tooth, the kind that impacts how you eat and speak, an infection could be the culprit. Without treatment you risk worsening pain and even tooth loss. But your West Allis, WI, dentist can help stop the ache with a root canal procedure, ensuring your smile stays comfortable and whole!
The Pain of an Infected Tooth
A tooth becomes infected once harmful oral bacteria reach the sensitive inner dentin, the nerve center of your tooth. This contact is possible when a tooth is severely damaged, or if decay forms and is not treated with a filling, spreading throughout the tooth and allowing bacteria to meet the pulp. The result could be pain when you bite down or chew, a persistent ache or sensitivity, and even a discharge from the tooth. You could have pain in the face or jaw, or even swelling near the tooth. Do not ignore these possible symptoms, see our team right away.
Planning Your Endodontic Treatment
Our team will use a digital x-ray to look into the tooth and assess the presence and severity of your infection, so we can plan treatment in detail. The digital system provides images instantly chairside, and only uses 90% of the radiation traditional systems use. Our team also takes steps to ensure you remain comfortable throughout the procedure. For example, we can numb the area directly with a local anesthetic, but we can also help you enter a deep state of calm with sedation if you have high anxiety levels about treatment or special needs that complicate your ability to undergo care. We want everyone to have a positive experience in our office!
Root Canal Therapy
Root canal therapy involves opening the tooth so we can gently access the interior and remove the tissues from within. We then clean the inside of the tooth and replace the tissues with a special filling material known as gutta percha. Finally, we will place a custom dental crown to cover the tooth, one that will look natural and protect the tooth for years to come. We can then help protect your smile from tooth decay and infection with routine visits for the checkup and cleaning every six months, and advice on better homecare habits, like daily brushing and flossing.
If you have any questions about how we treat an infected tooth, or if you want to talk to our team about possible solutions, then please reach out to our office today to get started!
Ask Our Team About Treating Your Aching Tooth
With a root canal procedure, we have a way of treating a dental infection and bringing relief in one visit. To schedule an appointment with Stubbs Family Dentistry in West Allis, WI, call our team today at 414-541-8250.
