Root Canal therapy

Dental infections affect the dental pulp present within the teeth. Our teeth are covered by an external layer of enamel, which is the hardest substance in the body. Despite this, oral bacteria can enter the pulpal space through cavities (caused by tooth decay) or cracks in the tooth surface (caused by external oral trauma). In most instances, the best way to treat this infection is through root canal therapy, which is considered the best option to save a severely infected tooth.

What Are the Symptoms of Tooth Infections?

• Pain and discomfort, especially while you eat food or brush your teeth
• Bleeding gums near the infected tooth
• Discharge of pus
• Discoloration of the infected tooth
• Loosening of the tooth from the jawbone socket
• Bone deterioration

How Is a Dental Infection Treated?

At SmileHere Family Dental, we treat dental infections by removing the dental pulp from the tooth and using medication to prevent reinfection. Our team of expert doctors will thoroughly check the infected area and consider root canal therapy as a last resort treatment method if the infection is too severe. A small hole will be made in the tooth, and dental files of varying sizes will be used to extract the infected nerves and blood vessels from it. A jet of disinfecting solution is used to wash away the microbial residue.

The dentists will fill the root canal space with antimicrobial material to keep the microbes from causing reinfection. If the infection is severe, the dentist will place the antibiotic medication in the root canal space for an additional few days before the final fill. Then the hole will be closed using tooth-colored filling material, which stays completely indistinguishable from the enamel. After the root canal therapy is complete, we recommend getting a ceramic crown to fully restore and protect the tooth.

To schedule a consultation with our dental experts, call any of our offices in Livonia at (734) 425-7888, Ann Arbor at (734) 888-8886, or book an appointment online.