If your tooth is severely infected, it might not need to be extracted. In some cases, a root canal procedure can be done to save the tooth.
Root canals are rather common, but patients usually have a lot of questions about how they work. Check out the following step-by-step breakdown:
Step 1: Prepping
First, your Fairhope dentist will numb the tooth to ensure you don’t feel any pain or discomfort during the procedure. Dental sedation can also be used if necessary.
Once the anesthesia kicks in, the tooth is isolated with a dam that covers the rest of the teeth.
Step 2: Opening the Tooth and Removing the Infection
The tooth is then drilled to reveal the root canals and pulp chambers, which need to be thoroughly cleaned of all the infected tissue. The dentist will use special instruments that allow them to go down the chambers and canals and apply an antibacterial solution to disinfect the areas.
Step 3: Shaping and Filling the Canals
Using a special instrument, the dentist then shapes the canals to prepare them for the filling. Then, a second cleaning is done.
The dentist uses gutta-percha to fill the canals and ensure they are sealed with adhesive cement. This prevents any future bacteria from getting down the canals again.
Step 4: Filling the Access Point
Once the canals are sealed, a second filling is placed right above to cover the hole drilled to expose the canals.
Step 5: Antibiotics and Healing
In some cases, when the infection is severe the patient may need to take antibiotics for a few days to fight off the rest of the bacteria. Antibiotics may also be applied directly into the tooth, then sealed with a temporary filling.
Before you leave the office, you’ll be given some at-home care tips to help your tooth heal properly. These can include:
- Using OTC pain medication
- Eating on the other side of the mouth
- Use a cold compress to control swelling and inflammation, etc.
If the dentist applied antibiotics to the tooth, you will need another appointment where they may clean the tooth again to ensure no more infected tissue is present.
Step 6: Permanent Filling or Dental Crown
Whether you’ll need a filling or a dental crown generally depends on how much impact the infection has had on your tooth. In some cases, the dentist may be able to save as much tooth tissue as possible, in which case they can use a dental filling to restore it.
But, if a lot of it was removed, you will need a dental crown placed on top.
Dealing with an Infection? We Can Help
Tooth infections are serious dental conditions that require immediate attention, so it’s best to see Dr. Gene Brabston right away.
Call us at (251) 928-1645 for immediate care, or book a regular appointment at Living Oaks Dental online.
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