Endodontics

The inside of a tooth is home to the dental pulp, nerves, and blood vessels. When a tooth’s dental pulp is infected as a result of decay or trauma, the nerve endings in the enamel's porous structure that branch out from the central root canal can cause sharp, intense pain. When the dental pulp is infected, root canal therapy is the only way to save the tooth from extraction. 

Root canal therapy is the most common procedure in endodontics, the branch of dentistry that concentrates on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and infections related to the dental pulp.

What Is a Root Canal Infection?

When bacteria damage the tooth enamel and reach the dental pulp that is located inside the tooth, the resulting condition is known as a root canal infection. This condition can be extremely painful and even result in tooth loss if left untreated for a long time. 

Some of the most common symptoms of a root canal infection are:

• You may feel a sharp pain in or near the infected tooth whenever you bite or chew food.
• You may see a release of pus from the tooth and surrounding gums. Sometimes, bleeding may also occur.
• The infection could spread to the underlying jawbone if left untreated. Over time, it may cause jawbone deterioration.
• Due to the shrinkage of the jawbone, the tooth may loosen from its socket. Chances run high for the tooth to fall out if you do not get the condition treated in time.
• The microbes in the infected pulp can cause gum diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis.
• Root canal infection can lead to severe bad breath due to the decayed tissues in the mouth.

Root Canal Procedure 

The safest and most comprehensive way to treat an infected tooth is by removing the infected dental pulp from within the canals. To do this, the dentist creates a small hole in the tooth and uses dental files to extract the infected pulp. The bacteria accumulated on the walls of the root canals is scrubbed off, and a jet of water is used to wash away the debris. Antibiotic medication is then placed in the cavity, and the hole is covered using filling material.

A tooth that undergoes root canal therapy is usually weak due to the lack of nourishment. It may easily fracture or crumble under high pressure, such as pressure from biting. Hence, it is recommended that you get the tooth restored using a dental crown.

An endodontic procedure or a root canal treatment can help remove bacteria, decay, and infection from the canals of the toothand restore its health. If you have an infected tooth, our endodontist at Dental Aesthetic in Sun City, AZ, can help. To schedule your appointment, contact us at (623) 300-5432.