Root canal therapy is necessary when the root of your tooth has become infected. If the bacteria in your mouth penetrate the enamel and dive into the soft pulp tissues of the tooth, then it can damage the pulp and cause the nerve to die. Damaged or dying pulp remnants can lead to tooth infection. When this happens, it can be quite painful sometimes. Root canal treatment is typically needed when a decayed or cracked tooth allows bacteria access to the internal structures. If left untreated, the infection can cause an abscess in the jawbone and the tooth might need to be extracted. If you think you might have an infected tooth, please call Engelhardt & Nelson Family Dentistry at 970-484-4890 right away. Dr. Geoff Engelhardt and Dr. Raechel Nelson will be here to help you.
Symptoms of an infected tooth
- Extreme sensitivity to cold or hot temperatures
- Painful chewing
- Toothache
- Jaw pain
- A bad taste in the mouth
- Swollen or red gums
- Swollen neck glands
- High body temperature/fever
- Bad breath
Treatment for an infected tooth
Root canal therapy is the best way to avoid tooth extraction and treat the infection. During the treatment, a special drill is used to get to the center of the tooth. It will drill through the top of the tooth and access the infected area. Once our dentists and team have access to the infected structures, they will remove the bacteria and the infected pulp from the tooth. Next, our team will strengthen your tooth with a dental crown. In the end, your smile will be saved with root canal therapy! We believe conservative dental care is the best, and we will do everything possible to help you keep your natural teeth and smile.