Treating Decay And Infection With Endodontics

omaha root canal

Endodontic treatment is designed to address issues that develop within your tooth, not on the outside. Which means when a tooth suffers from advanced tooth decay, infection, or a painful abscess, then you may need an endodontic procedure known as a root canal. In today’s blog, your Omaha, NE, dentist will discuss the importance of endodontic care.

The Dangers of Decayed and Infected Teeth

At the center of each tooth is a collection of nerve tissues known as the pulp, which helps keep your tooth functional. However, when injury or advanced decay exposes the pulp to bacteria, a painful infection or abscess could form. You may experience sensitive teeth, toothaches, pain when you bite down or chew, swelling near the tooth, or even a discharge from it. Treatment is then crucial to avoid losing the tooth and allowing infection to reach other portions of your smile. If you encounter one or more of the warning signs we’ve discussed please let us know as soon as possible!

The Root Canal Treatment Process

If we discover the presence of advanced decay or infection after we examine your tooth, we will administer a local anesthesia before beginning the procedure. Once you’re comfortable, we will open the tooth to extract the infected tissues from within. We then clean the interior of your tooth and fill it with a restorative material referred to as gutta percha. The final step involves capping the tooth with a crown. We take steps to ensure the restoration not only protects the tooth, but also offers a lifelike appearance and blends with the smile. We may create them from materials like ceramic or porcelain.

Keeping Your Smile Safe

You can then take steps to help protect your smile from further decay or infected teeth. For example, you can make time to brush your teeth when you wake up and again before bed, for at least two minutes and using a fluoride toothpaste. We also suggest flossing nightly as well, which removes what a toothbrush alone cannot. You also benefit from a checkup every six months, so we can remove plaque buildup and watch for the earliest signs of trouble, addressing concerns before you experience pain in your smile. Avoiding sugary and starchy foods helps as well. If you have any questions about treating issues like cavities or infections, or about preventive actions you can take at home and in our office, then contact our team today. We would love to see you and help you enjoy a better smile in 2021!

Your Omaha, NE Dentist’s Office Provides Root Canal Therapy

Pacific Hills Dental has treatments to restore the health, function, and even the beauty of your smile. If you have questions about how we treat smiles with a unique restorative treatment, then contact your Omaha, NE, dentist’s office at (402) 330-2243.