When a tooth develops a dental infection, this could mean serious discomfort and over time, an increased risk of tooth loss. With endodontic treatment, our team can take on infection and preserve your smile’s health, infection, and beauty. In today’s blog, your Londonderry, NH, dentist talks about how we save smiles with endodontics.
The Warning Signs of an Infected Tooth
A dental infection is a serious oral health concern, as lack of treatment could not only cause major discomfort, but risk the loss of your tooth and the spread of infection to other parts of your smile. Warning signs include pain when you chew or bite down, toothaches and tooth sensitivity, swelling near the tooth, pain in your face or jaw, and even a discharge from the tooth. The issue occurs when harmful oral bacteria reach the pulp, your tooth’s nerve center. This is possible due to an untreated cavity or possibly an injury to the tooth, such as a fracture, that exposes the sensitive inner structures. When you experience one or more of the symptoms we mentioned above, then please reach out to our team today so we can start treatment!
Root Canal Therapy
Often, an endodontic treatment that addresses concerns in the interior of your tooth is necessary to stop symptoms and prevent the loss of your tooth. A root canal procedure can do just that. To begin, we will conduct a detailed examination with digital x-ray technology, so we can see into the interior of your tooth and assess the position and severity of your infection. From there, we can plan your treatment. We will ensure your comfort with local anesthesia and sedation, so you stay calm and relaxed throughout the procedure and have little to no memory of it. Our team will then open the tooth so we can reach the inner tissues and remove them. We clean the interior of your tooth and then add a special filling known as gutta percha. The last step is to cap the tooth with a custom crown, one designed specifically for your tooth to prevent the risk of reinfection down the road, and to also offer a balanced bite and a lifelike appearance.
Retreatment
If you have undergone a root canal with another practice in the past and your tooth begins to hurt again, there is a chance that you need retreatment. For some, this could occur due to complications in the original treatment process, or a metal restoration changing shape with time and exposing the interior of the tooth. Our team will remove the older restoration and then retreat the interior of the tooth. We again cap the tooth with a crown, one custom-made to ensure optimal results and prevent the need for further retreatment down the road. Don’t risk worsening pain or a lost tooth, when a formerly treated tooth hurts, please let us know right away.
Root Canal Surgery
Sometimes, our team may need to offer more than a traditional root canal procedure to treat an infected tooth. Instead, we can offer surgery to address these concerns and bring relief to your smile. An apicoectomy is an example of an endodontic surgery we use to treat severe concerns or issues where a treated tooth has become inflamed. Also referred to as a root-end resection, this requires treatment at the roots. After we numb the tooth, we will open the area near the bottom of the roots to remove the infected materials. We then seal the area with a filling. In most cases, patients return to their normal routines after a day of rest!
If you have any questions about how our team will plan and conduct an endodontic procedure to stop discomfort and preserve your tooth so your smile stays whole and beautiful, then contact our team today. We look forward to helping you enjoy your best smile, one that looks great and is comfortable too. Remember, persistent discomfort is your body telling you something is wrong, and we can help with an initial exam and consultation.
Schedule A Visit With Dr. Karimipour for Endodontic Care Today!
When a tooth is infected, we want to offer a solution that improves your oral health. From traditional root canals to retreatment and surgery, we have a number of options to help you and offer relief, so you can smile with confidence and avoid complications like tooth loss. Talk to our team today and improve your smile by calling My Dentist in Londonderry, NH at (603)965-3407! We will offer care that is comfortable, effective, and provide results that are long-lasting and effective!
