Infections in the tooth can occur for a variety of reasons. When tooth infections set in, they can be serious. These types of infections often go undetected until they become severe. Once infection sets in deep within the tooth structure, it can spread to the bone tissue and to other teeth. To prevent major problems and tooth loss, the Dentist in St. Petersburg can care for the infection and provide you with the best treatment options to help save your tooth and stop further damage.
Common Treatments for Tooth Infections
When you have a tooth infection, the dentist will first examine your tooth, through both physical exam and X-ray. The X-rays are particularly important because they show the dentist how deep the infection runs and whether or not it has reached the bone tissue. If the infection is in the bone, this will require a much more aggressive form of treatment. The dentist may first try to treat the infection with a strong round of antibiotic therapy. If the infection responds well, the dentist will work towards saving the teeth involved.
One of the most common forms of treatment for a tooth that has become abscessed is a root canal. A root canal removes the inner soft tissues of the tooth and the nerve. This allows the dentist to clean the inside of the tooth and remove infection, diseased tissue and the nerve. The dentist also uses special canal files to completely scrape the inner canals of the tooth so no remaining infection can corrupt the tooth.
Once the tissue has been removed, the dentist will pack the tooth with medication and then place a temporary filling over the tooth so it can heal. You will need to come back after a certain period of healing time and the dentist will check to make sure all signs of infection are gone. He or she will then fill the tooth permanently. This can help to protect the tooth from further damage and infection.
If you have any signs of infection in the tooth, it is important you contact Nu Smile Dental today. Not only can they treat you for oral infections, but they have a wide array of dental treatments to help keep your teeth as healthy as possible.
