Endodontics
in Duncanville, Texas
Endodontics is the specialty dealing with the roots of the teeth. The most common endodontic therapy is a root canal, which involves removing the infected pulp and then filling the canal where the pulp once was. The dental pulp is the soft tissue, nerves, and blood vessels inside the tooth. When the pulp becomes infected, root canal therapy can save the tooth; without a root canal, the infection will spread, and eventually, the tooth will fall out, requiring more costly dental implants or bridges to repair your bite. After a root canal, the tooth is dead because the nerve tissue and blood supply to the tooth have been removed. Over time, this causes the tooth to become brittle, a filling and crown are necessary to protect the tooth from cracking.
Root Canal Therapy
Historically, root canals have gotten a bad rap, but the good news is that advances in dental technology have made it much less painful and "scary," with more than a 95% success rate.
When a tooth becomes infected or abscessed, severely decayed or injured, or a nerve is damaged, you may need a root canal. Symptoms of infection include:
- Painful chewing
- Heat/cold sensitivity
- Tooth discoloration
- Gum swelling, tenderness
- Or no symptoms; only a dental exam will discover it
Left untreated, a root canal infection can cause swelling in the face or neck, tooth loss, and infection draining into the gums, cheek, skin, and even into your bloodstream. The only alternative to a root canal is having the tooth extracted and replaced with a bridge, implant, or partial denture which can be far more expensive and time-consuming than a root canal.
Smile By Smile Dental can help you determine the best way to save your tooth and your smile.
Endodontics in Duncanville, TX
Smile by Smile Dental in Duncanville, TX, is dedicated to providing exceptional endodontic and root canal therapy, offering the latest in dental technology. Our highly experienced and qualified doctors provide you with a comfortable and positive experience. We promise it's not as bad as you've heard.