Dentists in Mt. Pleasant, SC , like Dr. Jeff Gardner, recognize that tooth infection is often extremely painful and the mere thought of extraction seems daunting. Not too many years ago, refusing to have an infected tooth pulled out meant having to suffer through recurring inflammation and abscess formation. However, with the constant advancements in the field of dentistry, it is now possible to keep your natural tooth even after an infection or tooth trauma.
Root Canal Treatment (RTC) is done to save and repair a tooth that is severely decayed and infected by removing the tooth’s pulp. Inside every tooth is a pulp composed of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. The pulp can be removed without destroying the tooth as long as it is already mature.
Why Do You Need a Root Canal Treatment?
Severe damage to the pulp is the main indication for a root canal. A tooth’s pulp can be damaged through untreated cavities, extensive restorative work and inflammation caused by trauma. Cavities can erode the tooth’s enamel and eat through the dentin until it reaches one or several of the tiny canals in your tooth. This paves the way for bacteria to enter the tooth and infect the pulp. The subsequent inflammation reduces blood supply to the tooth and delays healing.
How is a Root Canal Done?
Dr. Jeff Gardner in Mt. Pleasant, SC will perform root canals with the latest techniques and quality standards set by the American Dental Association (ADA). A root canal can be done in one or two visits depending on the severity and number of teeth effected. Dr. Gardner will apply anesthesia around the tooth, so the procedure will be as painless as possible. Based on your tooth’s x-ray, he will drill an opening through the tooth’s crown, remove all of the diseased pulp, disinfect the entire canal and put temporary filling into it. If there are no further signs of infection, a permanent filling or crown can be placed over the tooth.
Pros of a Root Canal Treatment
Root canal treatments are mainly done to avoid extraction of a tooth and worsening of an infection. A root canal procedure is successful over 92 percent of the time. Having it done prevents the spread of infection to adjacent teeth, increased tooth sensitivity and persistent inflammation.
Cons of a Root Canal Treatment
The disadvantage of root canals comes when infected pulp is not thoroughly and completely removed. If irregularly-shaped canals are not correctly measured and visualized, dentists might miss some of the damaged pulp. Thus, the tooth may continue to hurt and infection might recur. However, Mt. Pleasant, SC dentists patient consultations are meticulous and highly skilled so as to make this slight risk close to nil.
If you are suffering from tooth pain, schedule an appointment with Dr. Jeff Gardner today.