At Superior Dental Health, our team works at preserving natural teeth and helping our patients maintain healthy smiles. We avoid tooth extractions whenever possible. One of the treatments that helps preserve existing teeth is root canal therapy. Root canal therapy is a very successful treatment that can help your tooth last for many more years if it has been affected by infection. If you are in need of root canal therapy in Lincoln, NE, or would like a second opinion, call our team to schedule your appointment today!
What is Root Canal Therapy?
When a tooth becomes infected and the infection reaches the pulp of the tooth, root canal therapy is needed to save the tooth from extraction. The pulp of the tooth can become infected when a tooth has decay from a cavity or if the tooth is cracked. Left untreated, the infection can worsen and cause severe pain or kill the tooth completely, requiring extraction. In the first step of root canal therapy, your dentist carefully removes all signs of infection and decay from the tooth. The next step is cleaning and sealing the tooth. Finally, the tooth is either filled with composite filling or covered with a dental crown depending on the condition of the tooth.
Signs of a Tooth Infection
If you have a tooth infection, it’s important to know the symptoms so that you can get the help that you need. Signs of a tooth infection may include any of the following:
- Severe toothache
- Pain when chewing or applying pressure to your tooth
- Prolonged tooth sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
- Dark discoloration of the tooth
- Swelling and tenderness in the gums around the tooth
If you are experiencing signs of a tooth infection, it’s important to schedule a dental visit as soon as possible. Left untreated, a tooth infection can lead to an abscess tooth which is very painful and can be harmful to your oral and overall health. For help with a tooth infection, call our office today to schedule your visit!
