Lovett Dental Vintage Park works to help each patient avoid serious tooth and gum disease by providing a full line of preventative dental care services. From regular exams and cleanings to improving smiles with braces and crowns, our dental experts are board-certified and trained in numerous specialties.

Bacteria can get trapped beneath the gum line or inside the root of a tooth by a deep cavity, a chipped tooth, or a crack in the tooth. When a pocket of pus begins to form, it causes a tooth abscess. Over time, the infected abscess can be drained and treated with antibiotics. When the abscess is left untreated, the only options are tooth extraction or a root canal to save the tooth.  A root canal removes the infected root that can lead to serious, even life-threatening, complications.

What is a Root Canal?

A root canal aims to eliminate the bacteria and infected root to prevent another infection or the loss of the tooth. When you schedule a root canal treatment, your dentist will remove the tooth’s infected or inflamed pulp. Once the pulp is removed, the inside of the tooth is carefully cleaned and disinfected. Finally, the tooth’s inner area is shaped and sealed as preparation for a permanent filling or a permanent crown.

A root canal is an important procedure to prevent further damage to the patient’s mouth or health. These include:Dr. prepares a patient for a root canal

  • Gum swelling and pain that may spread to the neck, face, or head
  • Permanent bone loss around the tip of the root can speed tooth loss
  • Infectious drainage through the side of the tooth and into the gums, cheek, or skin

While root canal treatments have a reputation for being painful, actually the patient receives local anesthesia. The procedure itself is no more painful than having a deep cleaning, or a filling placed. Root canals are extremely effective for saving a tooth, and the procedure will take only one or two days, depending on the severity of the infection.

Warning Signs of an Infected Root Canal

  • A painful lump starts growing on the gums
  • Extreme sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks
  • An above-normal amount of tenderness or swelling
  • A tooth that starts to weaken and/or darken
  • A foul odor that emanates from the infected tooth

If you are experiencing any of these signs of an infected root canal, please schedule an appointment at Lovett Dental Vintage Park right away. We always promote treatments to save your natural teeth for as long as possible. A root canal is often the better choice over having a tooth extracted.

Benefits of Root Canal Treatment at Lovett Dental Vintage Park

A major benefit of having a root canal is that it saves your jaw and mouth’s natural structure. When a tooth is replaced with an implant, it rarely fills the open space, as your original tooth would. Spaces between teeth can cause food entrapment and bone loss. Also, missing teeth will eventually cause other teeth to shift. This can affect how you chew food, how you speak, and your appearance.

If you have the choice between a root canal or tooth extraction and replacement, the root canal treatment will have fewer trips to the dentist, and you will cost you less money in the long run. Lovett Dental Vintage Park takes advantage of modern dental technologies, procedures, and materials to allow its patients to keep their natural teeth. But our staff will always explain your options so you can make the best choice for your health and your family.

If you are experiencing pain and inflammation that may be associated with an infected root canal, contact Lovett Dental Vintage Park at 832-843-6776, or contact us online for an emergency appointment today.