An endodontist is skilled and experienced at treating issues that form in the interior of your tooth, such as a dental infection, to save your tooth. But how do you know when you need to see one, and how does a root canal prevent an infected tooth from being lost? At Root Canal Specialists of Baton Rouge, LA, we want you to know when to seek endodontic care!
The Warning Signs of an Infected Tooth
How do you know if you have an infected tooth? If you attend dental checkups and cleanings every six months with your general dentist, then this is likely caught in the early stages and addressed with a filling. If the issue isn’t caught until an infection occurs, then you could be referred to our office. But symptoms you should recognize include toothaches and sensitivity that lasts for more than a day, or pain when you bite down and chew. Headaches, jaw pain, swelling near the tooth, or a discharge from it could also be potential symptoms. Don’t ignore persistent pain, let us know so we can conduct a detailed examination and find out if you need endodontic treatment.
The Causes and Complications
An infection means that harmful oral bacteria have reached your inner pulp, the nerve center in the middle of your tooth. The infection could be the result of an untreated cavity or injury, which exposes the sensitive inner structure, allowing a cavity to form and reach the pulp. Over time, this causes painful symptoms and could enable the infection to reach other teeth or move into the jawbone. The tooth may need to be extracted, or could fall out, leaving a gap that leads to more issues with the health and comfort of your smile. Don’t risk tooth loss, see our team for a diagnosis and to discuss possible solutions, such as root canal therapy.
Care With a Root Canal
To get started, we will conduct a detailed examination of your smile with digital diagnostic technology, so we can assess the presence and extent of your infection and find the right solution. For some, we may use a nonsurgical root canal option, opening the tooth to remove the inner pulp and then sealing your tooth with a special filling and crown. If the issue is more severe, we could recommend microsurgery options, such as an apicectomy. If you have any questions, contact our team today!
Learn More About Root Canal Therapy Today
Our team wants to help you avoid issues like severe pain or even tooth loss. To find out more about how we treat issues with the interior of your tooth, then speak with our team at Root Canal Specialists of Baton Rouge at (225) 766-3061, at one of our locations in both Baton Rouge and Denham Springs, LA!