Endodontic Treatment For Infected Teeth

Restore Your Smile With Root Canal Therapy In La Porte, IN

If you’ve got a sore, aching tooth that’s only getting more painful, you may have an infected tooth. And if that’s the case, root canal therapy from Dr. Shane Harmon or Dr. Vivienne Zhang may be the best option for restoring your smile.

With a root canal, you can eliminate your infection, get rid of pain, and preserve your tooth for years to come. The process is fast and virtually painless, and we even offer sedation options at Dental Studio of Pine Lake to keep you comfortable during treatment.

Why Would I Need A Root Canal?

Root canals are a type of endodontic treatment used to treat infected teeth. Tooth infections happen when the outer layers of your teeth are damaged, which exposes the vulnerable “pulp” inside your tooth. This can happen due to a serious cavity, extreme tooth wear, or if you accidentally crack or break a tooth.

The pulp is filled with nerves and blood vessels that keep your tooth alive. As the infection progresses, it begins to kill the pulp. In turn, this begins to kill the tooth and causes other symptoms like a toothache, tooth sensitivity, and more.

With a root canal at Dental Studio of Pine Lake, Dr. Harmon or Dr. Zhang can stop the progression of the infection. During the procedure, they’ll carefully access the tooth, remove the infected tissue, thoroughly clean and disinfect the area, and restore it with a durable filling or crown to protect the remaining structure. This treatment eliminates infection and helps preserve your natural tooth

Recognizing The Signs Of An Infected Tooth

Wondering if you have an infected tooth? The best way to find out is by scheduling a consultation at our office. But until you can come in for a visit with Dr. Harmon or Dr. Zhang, there are some common symptoms you may want to look out for:

-A severe toothache that gets worse after a few days
-Inflamed, tender, or discolored gums near the affected tooth
-Visible black, grey, brown, or dark discoloration of the affected tooth
-Sensitivity to heat, cold, and the pressure of chewing
-Swelling of the jaw or lymph nodes near the affected area
-Bad breath (halitosis) or a nasty taste in your mouth
-A fever caused by the infection

The Benefits Of Root Canal Therapy

Eliminate pain and sensitivity – The pain of a toothache can be unbearable. If your tooth hurts, you may not be able to focus on work, concentrate on school, fulfill your responsibilities to your family, or go about other parts of your daily routine. With a root canal, you can get nearly immediate relief from your pain and discomfort.

Keep your tooth – Without root canal therapy, your tooth will die. And when it does, it will either fall out on its own or require tooth extraction. But with a root canal, you can preserve your tooth. When possible, keeping your natural tooth is always better than pulling your tooth and replacing it.

‍Avoid other complications – Infected teeth can cause other complications if left untreated. The infection can spread to other parts of your mouth and jaw. In extreme cases, it may even lead to sepsis, which is a life-threatening reaction that your body has to severe infections. With a root canal, you can eliminate the risk of any other complications related to your infected tooth.

What Can I Expect From The Root Canal Procedure?

Initial evaluation

First, you’ll come in for a consultation with us at Dental Studio of Pine Lake. Your dentist will perform an oral exam, take X-rays, and determine if a root canal is right for your needs. We are often able to offer same-day evaluations for patients who need root canal therapy in La Porte, IN, so give us a call to get started!

Treatment preparation

Once you’re approved for a root canal, you may get treatment immediately or come back for a separate visit. At this visit, your dentist will begin by cleaning your teeth and numbing the treatment area. We also offer sedation options to help you feel more comfortable during your root canal at Dental Studio of Pine Lake.

Opening and cleaning your tooth

When your mouth is numb, your dentist will begin by trimming away any damaged enamel from your tooth. Then, they will create a small opening in your tooth. Your dentist will use a variety of small tools to clean out the tooth by removing pulp, nerve tissue, and other infected tissue from inside your tooth.

Sanitizing and filling your tooth

Once your dentist is done removing the infected material from your tooth, they will flush your tooth with a sanitizer to kill any remaining bacteria. The next step is to fill your tooth with a rubbery material called “gutta-percha.” This replaces the pulp that your dentist removed and keeps your tooth strong.

Finishing up

The final step is to close your tooth with a crown or a temporary filling to protect it from further damage. Then, you’ll be sent home to rest and recover. Before you leave, though, you will need to schedule a separate appointment to get a permanent porcelain crown from Dr. Harmon or Dr. Zhang at Dental Studio of Pine Lake.

Got A Sore Tooth? Get Help At Dental Studio Of Pine Lake!

Tooth pain isn’t just distracting and uncomfortable. It can indicate a serious oral health issue like a tooth infection. So if your tooth is hurting and you’re not sure what to do, our team is here to help. 

At Dental Studio of Pine Lake, we offer gentle root canals in a welcoming, relaxed environment, and we even offer sedation to keep you comfortable while you get the expert care you need. Get started by giving our team a call at (219) 380-0029 or contacting us online to book your first visit.