When a tooth becomes infected, you could suffer from serious discomfort and over time, risk losing your tooth altogether. However, with an endodontic treatment known as a root canal procedure, your Houston, TX, dentist will be able to repair the tooth and ensure you continue to smile with confidence.

The Onset of Dental Infection

What causes a tooth to develop a painful infection? The causes could vary, but all involve the outer layer of tooth enamel becoming compromised. The enamel protects the tooth from harmful bacteria, but if damaged following injury or teeth grinding, or weakened due to poor oral hygiene and plaque buildup, this could expose the sensitive dentin to bacteria. A cavity forms, one that will spread until bacteria makes contact with the pulp. Your pulp keeps the tooth functional and healthy, but the presence of bacteria causes an infection or abscess, leading to pain and the risk of tooth loss.

Warning Signs and Dangers

You will initially notice tooth sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks. As the pain becomes more persistent, a toothache could arise. Over time, you could experience pain when you eat or bite down, notice swelling near the tooth, or have a foul discharge issue from the tooth. If one or more of these potential warning signs apply to you, then please see us right away. Otherwise, the tooth could require extraction to prevent infection from reaching other teeth, or the tooth could fall out. Tooth loss alone could mean misalignment, negative changes to smile alignment, and increased risks of everything from TMJ disorder and bruxism to an aged appearance or further tooth loss.

Root Canal Therapy

To treat the issue and preserve your smile, we need to remove the infected tissues. We start with a numbing agent to ensure you feel comfortable as we open the tooth to remove the infected tissues from within. The inside of your tooth will be through cleaned, and a special restorative material known as gutta percha will be administered. Next, we cap the tooth with a custom-made crown. The crown not only ensures better comfort and a more attractive appearance, but also preserves the balance of your bite. If you have any questions about how we diagnose and treat infections and other oral health issues, then contact our team today. We want to make sure you continue to enjoy a healthy, comfortable, and full smile for many years to come.

MMC DENTAL OFFERS ENDODONTIC THERAPY

MMC Dental wants to help you avoid tooth loss due to issues like infection or abscess. To learn more about how we correct issues like infected teeth, then start by scheduling your next appointment at MMC Dental in Houston, TX by calling 713-926-8896.