Whenever possible, I recommend root canal therapy to save an infected tooth. However, some infections, especially those not treated timely, require extraction. If you choose to extract a tooth, it’s crucial to consider tooth replacement to maintain smile aesthetics and oral health.
What Is Root Canal Treatment and Topeka
Root canal therapy is a pain-relieving treatment that removes infection from your tooth’s canal. It is a painless procedure performed under anesthesia. After clearing the infection, I temporarily fill your tooth to encourage fast healing. I generally cap the tooth with a custom dental crown at a future appointment to reinstate the function. In some cases, if the infection is caught early, I can secure the tooth with a dental filling instead.
If you’ve heard rumors that root canals are complicated or not worth the effort, I assure you that the treatment enjoys a high success rate and allows you to keep your tooth.
The Tooth Extraction Option
If the tooth cannot be saved through root canal therapy or you choose to extract it, it’s essential to follow up with tooth replacement to prevent jawbone deterioration and shifting of your remaining teeth, which can throw off your bite alignment and lead to dental fractures.
Tooth replacement options include a dental bridge, a partial denture, or a dental implant in Topeka.
Root Canal Therapy: Signs and Prevention
If you have a tooth root infection, you’ll likely notice some or all of the following symptoms:
- Severe toothache or increasing tooth sensitivity
- A bump or blister on the gum near the painful tooth
- Tooth discoloration or darkening
- Swelling in the face or jaw near the painful tooth
To help lower your root infection risks, visit my dental office every six months for checkups and teeth cleanings. Also, adopt and implement an excellent oral hygiene routine at home between these visits.
Contact My Dental Office Today
As a Topeka dentist, I urge you to think carefully before choosing extraction over root canal therapy. If the pain is severe, you might make a rash decision. However, root canal therapy also relieves pain quickly!
If you have a toothache or other symptoms, contact my dental team at (785) 266-9100 to book your emergency dental visit today.