Preserving an Infected Tooth

Root Canal Treatment for Ashby De La Zouch Patients.

When a tooth has been badly damaged, whether through long term dental decay or an accidental breakage, this can usually be repaired using a dental crown. For teeth though that are still intact but have become infected, this is not an option.

When a tooth becomes infected, it is the inner part, where the nerves and tiny blood vessels are stored, that is affected. As can be imagined, when the nerves are infected, it can be very uncomfortable for the patient.

One option that is available would simply be to extract the tooth and replace it using a dental implant. This  ‘drastic’ measure though is usually unnecessary and, in the majority of cases, it should be possible to both remove the pain and restore the tooth.

Root canal treatment

At Alexandra Dental Care near Ashby, we always prefer to save a natural tooth where possible. In cases like this one, this can generally be done using root canal treatment.

Despite it’s somewhat unwarranted reputation, a root canal procedure is an effective method to save the tooth and should cause no more discomfort than other invasive procedures. It will, of course, also be done using a local anaesthetic to make the procedure as comfortable as possible for the patient.

Once the anaesthetic has taken effect, firstly, the top of the infected tooth is removed. This reveals the infected inner pulp which is then removed using a combination of suction and manual removal. The hollow interior is then cleaned to remove any remaining bacteria.

Following this, the hollow tooth will be filled. Although this restores much of the strength of the tooth, a crown is nearly always added to the tooth to give it the additional strength needed for everyday use as well as to improve its appearance.

Post procedure

Following the procedure, the patient may experience some discomfort for a short period. This will soon diminish though and can usually be managed with over the counter painkillers. In the event of any significant discomfort which can’t be managed in this manner, you should contact our Ashby De La Zouch dental practice for advice.

It is also advisable to eat softer foods for a short while until you become used to the newly restored tooth as it may feel a little different for a period of time.

If you live in Ashby De La Zouch and are looking for a dentist, why not take a look at the wide variety of dental procedures that we have available not only to restore your oral health but to give you a great smile. Please call us on 01283 216347.

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