Root Canals in Houston

What is a Root Canal?

Root canals occur when the soft inner tissue inside the tooth is diseased or injured. A cracked tooth, deep cavity, complications with a large filling or dental injury can expose the soft inner pulp of the tooth to bacteria, decay and injury. When these inner nerves and blood vessels are affected, you may feel pain in the tooth and throughout the jaw. If left untreated, a root canal can worsen and affect the surrounding teeth or bone in the jaw, resulting in tooth loss or the need to remove a damaged tooth.

Is a Root Canal Necessary?

If a tooth is damaged or infected, root canal therapy is the best way to save it and avoid a necessary extraction down the road. Painful, throbbing toothaches are a sign of an infected tooth and an indicator that you should seek professional dental treatment right away. Root canal therapy can get you out of pain and discomfort, and protect your tooth from further damage. If left untreated, an infection can spread and lead to more serious problems. Call us today to schedule an appointment with a skilled Houston dentist if you are experiencing symptoms of an infected tooth or if you damaged and cracked your tooth in an injury.

What Causes a Tooth Infection?

Painful, infected teeth can be caused by untreated tooth decay, a cracked or broken tooth or filling, or from a gum infection. If tooth decay erodes your enamel or you have a cracked tooth, bacteria can get into the living pulp inside the tooth leading to severe pain. Tooth pulp is filled with sensitive nerves, so any bacteria or infected material inside will be incredibly painful, and root canal therapy is one of the best ways to get fast relief and ensure that no further damage is done.

Your Root Canal Process

After helping you to understand your treatment process, Dr. Williams or Dr. Ma will apply a local anesthesia to the affected area to numb the bothersome tooth and remove any pain. Next, a small hole is made into the surface of the tooth to access and remove the infected pulp. The empty root canal is then carefully cleaned with medicine to remove bacteria or infection. It is then filled with a rubber-like gutta percha that shares a similar consistency as the pulp of a regular healthy tooth. Finally, the tooth is sealed with a color matched composite filling or dental crown to maintain the tooth’s natural strength and appearance.

Signs of an Infected Tooth

Chances are if your tooth is infected you will feel pain and sensitivity. However, other signs include:

• Severe, throbbing toothache
• Swelling in your face and/or cheek
• Fever
• Grayish discoloration

If you notice any other these signs or symptoms, call EaDo Family Dental right away to schedule an appointment. Our dentists will examine your mouth to determine whether root canal therapy is the right restorative option for you. An infected tooth is considered a dental emergency because immediate treatment is required to ensure the best possible outcome for your dental health. Don’t wait! Call (713) 474-2334 today.