Root Canal Treatments
At R. Ben Alexander, DDS, we regularly perform a root canal treatment, also called endodontic treatment, in order to remove infections and save our patients’ teeth. Dr. Alexander can complete the procedure and work to keep patients comfortable.
Why Use a Root Canal Treatment?
When a tooth becomes infected, that infection can spread into the center of the tooth. This area is called the dental pulp, where the nerves, connective tissue, and blood vessels hide. All of the sensitive areas of the tooth are contained here. As such, when the area becomes infected it can be incredibly painful, requiring immediate treatment.
How are Root Canals Performed?
During a root canal, Dr. Alexander creates a small hole in the tooth to remove the infected areas. The dental pulp and roots are removed. If you do not remove infected roots, the infection can spread throughout the body causing other infections in the body. After the procedure, the R. Ben Alexander, DDS dental team will clean the area to ensure that the infection is gone. Dr. Alexander will typically prescribe antibiotics, as well. This ensures that any lingering infection is eliminated. At R. Ben Alexander, DDS we use tooth-colored fillings and crowns to match seamlessly with the rest of your teeth, regardless of where your infected tooth is located.
Are Root Canals Painful?
No, this is a common misconception. The infection, which attacks the nerves of your tooth, cause pain. Essentially, the root canal removes the pain by removing the infected tooth while preventing the spread of the infection. Additionally, Dr. Alexander will use sedation dentistry and numbing to make you relaxed during the entire procedure.
Can Root Canals Heal By Itself?
Unfortunately, no. The infection needs to be removed to prevent it from spreading throughout your body through your bloodstream. In the past, the treatment for an infected tooth was to pull the tooth, also called an extraction. Today, the R. Ben Alexander, DDS dental team can save your tooth with a root canal. If you wait too long to get a root canal, the tooth will not be able to be saved, and the R. Ben Alexander, DDS dental team will have to extract it. The tooth can then be replaced with a denture, bridge, or dental implant.
Additional Benefits of Root Canals
Once the infection is gone, and the tooth is strengthened, it will be easier to bite down with normal force, chew, and maintain normal activities without worrying about the tooth. Further, a restored tooth will look completely natural if a tooth-colored crown or filling is used to restore it. In fact, crowns can be created in the exact shade of the surrounding teeth so that it blends in perfectly.
To learn more about how R. Ben Alexander, DDS can save your infected tooth, call our Mckinney TX office or schedule an appointment online. We can’t wait to meet you!