How Is An Infected Dental Pulp Treated?

Do you find yourself too tired to brush your teeth? Maybe, you’re always canceling dental appointments. This combination can lead you to miss the early signs of tooth decay or other issues that may require a root canal in Charleston SC. When tooth decay isn’t treated right away, it can lead to infection. Furthermore, it doesn’t just affect the outer layer of your tooth. The bacteria in your decayed tooth can penetrate the pulp chamber, which is the area found in the center of your tooth that houses connective tissues, blood vessels, and nerves.

Your dentist may recommend a root canal treatment if your dental pulp is infected. Often times, you may be asymptomatic. Regardless if you show symptoms or not, you should trust your dentist’s recommendation to stop the infection from spreading.

How Do You Treat an Infected Dental Pulp? 

The Root Canal Treatment

A root canal is performed by either an endodontist or a general dentist and it usually requires more than one visit to the clinic to complete the procedure. When you arrive, your endodontist will likely order an X-ray to visualize the shape of your root canal and see if the infection has spread to the bone. Local anesthesia is typically administered to keep you comfortable and relaxed.

Next, a rubber dam is placed around the infected tooth to keep it dry. Your dentist will then drill a hole in your tooth to remove any debris, bacteria, and the infected pulp. Then, files are used to scrape the insides of your root canal. It will then be flushed with sodium hydrochloride. Finally, when everything is completely clean, your dentist will seal it.

Why Do You Need To Remove The Infected Pulp?

Why would your dentist recommend a root canal therapy? When your pulp is infected, bacteria will thrive and multiply within the chamber, resulting in an abscessed tooth or an infection. The infection can spread towards your neck, face, and head. Furthermore, you may even experience bone loss at the tip of the tooth roots. Root canal therapy is the ideal treatment for this type of dental problem.

Do You Need Root Canal in Charleston SC?

If you exhibit all the signs of an infected pulp, you should see your endodontist right away. At North Rivers Dental Associates, we are proud of the level of care we deliver to all our clients. Our team has the technical skills needed to perform restorative, preventive, and cosmetic procedures. To learn more about our services, don’t hesitate to give us a call or book an appointment by visiting our website.