When you hear the words “root canal,” do you tend to assume the worst? Root canal treatment has received a bad reputation over time, but it is a procedure that is often necessary in saving an infected tooth and improving your oral health. If left untreated, tooth infection can cause you to experience dental pain and may result in the tooth needing to be extracted. Severe infection can even cause an abscess, affecting the bone surrounding the tooth.
Signs of needing a root canal can involve tooth sensitivity, severe tooth pain, pain and swelling in the gums, and dark spots on the tooth.
Dr. Bradley Austin may recommend root canal treatment if the inner pulp has become injured or infected. The pulp is the area of the tooth that houses the tooth’s nerves and blood vessels. Dental infection can result from a cracked tooth, a cavity, or a dental injury. During the root canal procedure, our dentist removes infected pulp in order to clean out the chamber, and then seals the tooth–all of which is completed in one to three dental visits.
Our team at Austin Dental Associates wants to help you keep your smile in good health. If you notice symptoms of needing a root canal, call 651-777-0788 today to schedule a visit with Dr. Bradley Austin at Austin Dental Associates. Following a dental exam, we will help you determine if you would benefit from root canal treatment in Maplewood, Minnesota.