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When our teeth become damaged or have an untreated cavity, then a dental infection may develop. Without treatment, this could threaten the stability of your smile. Fortunately, we have a safe and comfortable method of treating infected teeth: root canal therapy. How do we perform a root canal and what should our Mansfield, TX, patients expect from the procedure?

The Dangers of Infected Teeth

Our teeth are made up of several layers. The outermost, or enamel, protects the teeth. The dentin, which is beneath the enamel, makes up the majority of the tooth structure. The pulp, a group of living tissues, sits at the center of the tooth. An infected tooth occurs when bacteria can bypass the outer tooth enamel and reach the inner dentin. A cavity then forms, which spread until bacteria reach the inner pulp. Since your pulp controls the flow of blood and nutrients to and from the tooth, the resulting infection could threaten your tooth’s stability and lead to serious pain. Including toothaches, discomfort when eating, swelling around the tooth, fever, and a discharge from the tooth.

The Root Canal Process

If you have pain in your teeth or discomfort when eating, then let us know. We will examine your smile and if we find the presence of infection, offer treatment with root canal therapy. We begin by opening the tooth and removing the infected tissue. We then clean the interior of the tooth before placing a restorative filling known as gutta percha. After we cure the material, we cap the tooth with a dental crown. The procedure takes one visit to compete, and helps preserve the tooth. Without treatment, a severe infection could mean a lost tooth and the spread of infection to surrounding teeth.

Ensuring a Natural Appearance

We want to make sure your tooth looks natural, so we create a custom dental crown to cap the tooth after the procedure. Created based on impressions taken of your smile, the custom restoration will blend with your smile and fit comfortably. We often create them using lifelike materials, such as ceramic. With proper care and attention, the crown may last for several years and protect the rest of your remaining tooth structure. Don’t let an infected tooth lead to pain and tooth loss, talk to our team about root canal therapy. If you have any questions about our endodontic treatment options, then contact our team today. Let’s work together to preserve your smile!

Do You Have Pain in Your Tooth?

If you have pain in your teeth, then talk to our team about treatment with endodontics. For more information on our restorative dental treatment, schedule a consultation by calling our dentist’s office in Mansfield, TX, today at 817-473-6227.