woman smiling in traditional topWhenever one of your teeth begins to feel sensitive or painful, the cause could be tooth decay. Left untreated, bacterial plaque can create cavities that expand in severity to eventually cause real discomfort. This is because breaks in your enamel can expose the nerves inside your tooth as well as allow outside oral bacteria to enter. Your body’s inflammatory response to oral bacteria increases your sensitivity and can ramp up the pain you feel

When your tooth’s inner structure becomes infected, you require professional treatment to provide relief. At your Mansfield, TX, dental practice, we can perform a root canal procedure to access your pulp and remove the bacterial infection. Because this process permanently alters the outside structure of your tooth, we will plan a follow-up treatment to restore the function and strength of your tooth and seal it from reinfection. A custom dental crown can provide wonderful support for years to come when properly cared for.

How Bacterial Infection Affects Your Oral Health

Whenever harmful bacteria penetrate the protective layers of your enamel, they can cause an infection in your pulp. As this area contains sensitive nerves and blood vessels, infection leads to pain, swelling, and potential abscess formation. If your infection is not treated promptly, it can spread to surrounding tissues, including your jaw. Your body’s natural response to the infection may even contribute to pain and tooth loss, as inflammation and tissue destruction can weaken the structures that hold your tooth in place. This means you require timely treatment to prevent the eventual need for a tooth extraction when your jawbone can no longer hold it in place.

Performing A Root Canal Therapy To Provide Relief

Your dentist may suggest a root canal therapy to provide relief from the pain and save your infected tooth from extraction. To ensure your comfort during the procedure, we will numb your tooth and surrounding area with a local anesthetic. Then, using special tools, we remove your dental pulp and clean out all other decaying material. We will place a temporary seal on your tooth to prevent infection while you recover over the following days. Root canal therapy can often be completed in one or two appointments, and after the procedure, you should return to your normal activities with minimal discomfort. With proper care, a treated tooth can last a lifetime.

Talk To Your Mansfield, TX, About Treating Your Tooth Infection

A root canal therapy can be the right choice when an infection causes constant pain in one of your teeth. Removing the infection before it worsens greatly increases your odds of preventing the need for extraction. Call Mansfield Dental Associates in Mansfield, TX today at 817-473-6227 to learn more about how this procedure can help you heal and restore your oral health.