Thanks to root canals, there's no need to lose an infected or inflamed tooth. Dr. Brijesh Patel and Dr. Christine DeBaz offer the tooth-saving procedure at TLC Dental Center in Marysville, OH.
Why saving your tooth is so important
If your inflamed or infected tooth is at the back of your mouth, you may be wondering if you really need to save it. Although losing the tooth may not affect your appearance, the loss of a tooth anywhere in your mouth can lead to these issues:
- Misaligned Bite: After you lose a tooth, nearby teeth begin to drift as they attempt to fill the opening in your mouth. The drifting not only affects your appearance but can change your bite, the way your upper and lower teeth fit together. Due to the bite change, you may experience stiff or painful jaw muscles or headaches or may accidentally damage your gums or mouth when you chew.
- More Cavities: As the teeth drift, the edges tend to overlap. These overlapping edges make the perfect place for cavity-causing plaque to accumulate.
- Wear and Tear: A missing tooth means that your other teeth have to work harder. They're more likely to become worn or damaged as a result.
- Jaw Changes: Without stimulation from your tooth root, your jawbone weakens. Eventually, your lower face may begin to sag and some of your teeth may loosen.
How root canal therapy works
Root canal therapy makes it possible to keep your tooth. During root canals at the Marysville, OH, dental office, your dentist opens your tooth and removes the infected or inflamed pulp in the center. The pulp, a soft collection of tissue, nerves, and blood vessels, was very important when your tooth first developed. Once your tooth is fully formed, the pulp isn't nearly as important. In fact, your tooth can continue to function normally even if the pulp is removed.
After cleaning the tooth and shaping the root canals that travel the length of the tooth, he or she adds a temporary filling. A week or two later, you'll return to the office to receive a permanent filling. A dental crown may also be needed to strengthen the treated tooth.
Root canals end your pain, save your tooth, and help you avoid changes to your appearance and oral health.
Protect your smile with root canals. Call (937) 642-2400 to schedule an appointment with your dentists in Marysville, OH, Dr. Patel and Dr. DeBaz of TLC Dental Center.