A skilled and trusted doctor will always try and save a patient's severely infected tooth or teeth before more invasive steps are taken. Luckily, a root canal, is a proven and reliable dental procedure that can save a tooth that's severely infected.

Interested in learning more about how a severely infected tooth can be saved with a root canal? Continue reading to learn in more detail about how a severely infected tooth can be saved when it is treated with a state-of-the-art root canal procedure.

How Exactly Can My Tooth Be Saved With A Root Canal?

A root canal is a dental procedure designed to save a severely infected tooth, preventing the patient from needing a tooth extraction. During a root canal procedure, the doctor will strategically remove the infected dental pulp – the soft tissue within the tooth that contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. The dental pulp is the part of the tooth where infection typically occurs, due to damage, decay, or disease.

If a severely infected tooth is left untreated, it can result in severe pain and the formation of an abscess. The first step in a smile saving root canal procedure, is numbing the area. The doctor will administer sedation dentistry to the patient so that they can have a comfortable and anxiety-free procedure experience. Once the tooth is numbed, the doctor will drill an opening in the tooth's crown to access its pulp chamber.

After this, the infected or dead pulp is removed, and the pulp chamber and root canal are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to eliminate any remaining bacteria or debris. This part of the root canal procedure is very precise and may take some time to ensure that the infection is completely removed.

Once the tooth is thoroughly cleaned, the doctor will shape the canals to prepare them for filling. The doctor then fills the cleaned and shaped canals with a material known as gutta-percha, which is a rubber-like substance. The gutta-percha helps to seal the canals and prevent reinfection. Following this, a temporary filling material is placed on top of the treated area in order to close the opening; this will be removed when the tooth is restored.

The final step in the root canal procedure is the restoration of the tooth. Because a tooth that needs a root canal often has a large filling or extensive decay, the doctor will need to further protect it with a tooth crown. A tooth crown is type of cap that covers the tooth to help keep it strong. The doctor will take impressions of the tooth and send them to a laboratory, where the tooth crown will be manufactured. In the meantime, a temporary tooth crown will be put in place.

After a couple of weeks, the patient will return to the doctor to have the permanent tooth crown attached. The permanent tooth crown is custom made so that its color, shape, and size look natural in the patient’s smile. Once the tooth crown is securely placed, the root canal procedure will be completed. With proper care and maintenance, the restored tooth can last a lifetime.

The patient won't have to worry about tooth extractions or the placement of dental implants with this smile saving dental procedure. By getting expertly treated with a root canal procedure, the patient will be able to save their natural tooth and go back to living their life normally.

Come To Our Office So We Can Save Your Teeth With Root Canals

Do you have severely infected or damaged teeth that are painful and are preventing you from living your life normally? At our dedicated and caring office, we can give you the smile of your dreams with a root canal procedure. We use the latest techniques and the most advanced technologies to make sure that you get the exact new smile results you need and deserve.

Why wait to improve the health and function of your smile with us? Get in contact with our doctors, Dr. Paul O’Malley, and our exceptional team at our office to schedule an appointment today!