An Endodontist has lots of experience dealing with abscessed teeth. An abscess is a pocket of pus that builds up in and around an infected tooth. An abscess is referred to as periapical when it occurs at the tip of a tooth's root and periodontal when it occurs in the gum area near the tooth's root.
A tooth might develop an abscess as a result of an untreated cavity. Cavities typically expand until they reach the pulp chamber when left untreated. This is where the connective tissues, blood vessels and nerves of a tooth are contained.
The standard way that an endodontist would treat an abscess is by treating the infection causing it and draining the pus. In many cases, the endodontist may be able to save the tooth with root canal therapy. Leaving an abscess untreated should never be an option since the infection can spread to other parts of the body like the heart and brain, where it can lead to life-threatening complications.
Symptoms often associated with an abscessed tooth include:
An endodontist might diagnose an abscessed tooth by visually inspecting it. They might tap on the patient's teeth to see how they react. Teeth that have developed an abscess are normally sensitive to pressure or touch.
The endodontist might also use diagnostic tests like x-rays and CT scans to determine if the infection has progressed to other areas. CT scans help to evaluate if the infection has spread to the patient's neck area.
The goal of treating an abscessed tooth is to eliminate the infection. Doing so often brings an end to any pain and discomfort the patient is dealing with.
The endodontist will start by opening up the area around the affected tooth and drain any pus. The area is disinfected with a saline solution, and a rubber drain might be inserted to continue draining the area while the inflammation goes down.
A root canal is performed to treat the infection and to save the patient's tooth. It involves drilling a hole into the patient's tooth and using files to clean out the content of the pulp chamber. The area is disinfected and the tooth is sealed up. The tooth may be covered with a crown to make it stronger. This is particularly important if the tooth is located in the back of the mouth.
If the infection is too severe to be treated. The endodontist might recommend extracting the tooth instead.
Call or visit our Santa Rosa clinic when dealing with an abscessed tooth. Relief is right around the corner.
Request an appointment here: https://santarosaendodontics.com or call Santa Rosa Endodontics at (707) 706-2143 for an appointment in our Santa Rosa office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Endodontist in Santa Rosa, CA.
Breaking a tooth can be a frightening time for anyone, and not knowing whether to seek emergency dental care for the broken tooth or wait for the regular office to open can add to the stress. The good news is that broken teeth are often resilient and can usually be restored to their normal function,…
Sedation dentistry helps patients stay calm, allowing periodontists to efficiently perform their work while ensuring their patient's comfort and safety. Many people suffer from severe dental anxiety. This fear can stop them from receiving the treatment they need and make their oral health suffer long-term, requiring more extensive treatment. Fortunately, there have been advancements in…
Regardless of the severity, a cracked tooth requires immediate professional treatment. While minor cracks may only need treatment options like dental bonding, tooth extraction is necessary for severely damaged teeth. However, an endodontist can consider various options that other professionals may not offer. An endodontist usually treats cracked teeth that are too damaged for minor…
When you have an infected or severely damaged tooth, a tooth extraction may seem the only option. However, endodontic therapy offers an alternative. It allows you to save your natural tooth and preserve your smile, avoiding the need for future tooth replacement. This procedure, commonly known as a root canal, is designed to remove infection,…
Sedation dentistry helps patients stay calm, allowing periodontists to efficiently perform their work while ensuring…
If the patient cannot find the pieces of the tooth or if they have been…
An endodontist is a dental specialist who treats problems inside the tooth with the dental…
When you have an infected or severely damaged tooth, a tooth extraction may seem the…
If pain or throbbing persists, keep the head elevated to decrease blood pressure at the…
Infections that move into the bloodstream and spread throughout the body can be dangerous, so…
