When a tooth is infected, this means you need treatment for the interior of it. Endodontic treatment, more commonly referred to as a root canal, treats the source of your infection and preserves your tooth. In today’s blog, your Woodland Hills, CA, dentist explains how we use a root canal to protect your smile and bring relief!
The Dangers of an Infection or Abscess
At the center of your tooth is a group of living tissues we refer to as the pulp, which are essential for keeping your tooth healthy and functional. These tissues are surrounded by dentin, which makes up most of your tooth structure, and protected by the outer layer of enamel. However, poor oral hygiene and plaque buildup could weaken and erode the enamel, and injury could compromise it, exposing the dentin to bacteria. A cavity then forms that spreads with time, until bacteria make contact with the pulp and an infection or abscess could form. Without treatment, the tooth could be lost or require extraction to prevent the spread of infection to other parts of your smile.
Starting Treatment
We always begin by carefully explaining the procedure and answering any questions you may have. We examine the smile to assess the cause and severity of your infected tooth, and then administer a numbing agent to ensure you remain comfortable as we remove the decay and infection. For those with severe dental anxiety, we also have sedation to help them remain calm and relaxed.
We then open the tooth itself so we can reach and remove the infected tissues from within. Next, we thoroughly clean the interior of your tooth and add a special restorative material known as gutta percha. The final step involves capping the tooth with a crown.
Ensuring a Lifelike Appearance
The crown is custom-made for your smile based on detailed digital images and measurements, and we often create them from lifelike materials, such as porcelain. These materials can be color-matched to blend with your smile, contain stain-resistant properties, and will also be able to absorb daily bite forces! You then smile with confidence, and enjoy relief from discomfort. To avoid further cases of decay or infection, we suggest brushing and flossing daily, eating a healthier diet, and making time to see us for a checkup and cleaning every six months.
Do You Have Any Questions About Restorative Dental Care?
Don’t let an infected tooth cause a gap in your smile, instead seek treatment from our team. For more details on our safe and comfortable endodontic treatment options, then please schedule a consultation by calling Woodland Hills Dental Arts in Woodland Hills, CA today at 818-347-5124. We also proudly welcome patients from Thousand Oaks, Westlake, Encino, Sherman Oaks, and all surrounding communities.