East Adelaide Dental – If your tooth feels painful it may be infected!
Dentists usually recommend root canal therapy to save an infected tooth rather than having the tooth pulled out. This is because the space a missing tooth creates can lead to more problems. However, if the infection is severe, it may be the only reasonable option.
A tooth can become infected when bacteria enter the nerve canal in the centre of the tooth. This can happen if the tooth decay dissolves the enamel, or if your tooth gets chipped or cracked.
You might have a tooth infection if:
If you notice a pimple on your gum or swelling on your face or neck around the tooth, these could be signs that you also have a dental abscess. This needs urgent attention and we have several dental emergency appointments available throughout the week to attend to you as quickly as possible.
Sometimes a tooth infection does not have obvious symptoms. That is why it is important to have regular check-ups with us at Tea Tree Dental so that we can catch problems before they become more serious.
Some people are scared at the thought of root canal therapy, but it is not usually any more painful than a filling, as local anaesthesia is used to numb the area. Removing the infection also removes the source of pain, so a root canal will relieve the pain and discomfort of an infected tooth. The procedure sometimes takes several visits to complete.
After deciding to commence the treatment, the dentist will drill into the tooth and remove the infected tissue. After disinfecting the tooth, they’ll shape it and place a filling into the canal. The tooth is then closed with a white filling or dental crown.
If your tooth is too badly infected or damaged to save, you’ll likely need an extraction. This may be straightforward or complex, depending on the condition of the tooth and how far the infection has spread. Extractions are performed at the dental surgery using a local anaesthetic, and in some cases may require referral to an Oral Surgeon.
Your dentist might be able to remove the tooth simply by rocking it loose with forceps, or they may have to perform oral surgery to remove part of the tooth from below the gum. Your dentist will discuss options to replace the missing tooth after your gum has healed because the teeth on either side of the gap may become crooked.
If you think you might have a tooth infection, or you want to see a dentist for any other reason, get in touch with our team at Tea Tree Dental today.
We are conveniently located near all major centres in the north east, including Tea Tree Gully, St Agnes, and Hope Valley.
Call 08 7226 3559 to book an appointment at our Modbury dental clinic or book online.
Copyright © 2021 Tea Tree Dental Modbury. All Rights Reserved · Host by Levation