Dentists want the best and brightest smile possible for their patients. Keeping natural teeth healthy so they serve patients efficiently, aesthetically, and painlessly is a dentist’s top priority.
Root canal therapy is an intervention that dentists perform as a final attempt to prevent tooth loss and keep teeth in optimal condition. Dentists recommend root canal therapy to alleviate pain and preserve the function of natural teeth.
Toothaches Need Immediate Attention from a Dental Professional
Teeth have three layers: the enamel, dentin, and pulp. Dentists treat cavities in the enamel and dentin with fillings, but when tooth decay reaches the pulp, a more complex treatment is necessary. This is because the pulp contains nerves, and when it becomes infected, patients typically experience a toothache. If untreated, the infection poses a risk to neighboring teeth, and can even enter the bloodstream and harm other vital organs in the body.
Procedure for Root Canal Therapy
A dentist accesses the tooth’s canal through a small opening in the crown, and from there he removes the infected pulp. Then the tooth is sealed and prepared to receive a crown. The dentist takes an impression of the tooth so a lab can fabricate a prosthetic to the exact dimension of the original tooth. The crown will also be color-matched for a beautiful restoration.
Health Benefits of Root Canal Therapy
Root canal therapy preserves the tooth and the tooth root. Patients need not worry about how to replace a missing tooth, and because the tooth root has been preserved, they need not worry about bone resorption in the jaw. With tooth loss, the jaw bone begins to shrink. This affects neighboring teeth, and it can even change the facial structure of people, giving the mouth a shrunken and aged appearance.
Without root canal therapy, a dentist would be forced to remove the infected tooth by extracting it. It is a much simpler process to preserve a tooth than replace it, and in the long run, it is also a more affordable alternative.
Contact the Dental Office of Dr. Steven F. Stanley in Los Angeles
If you are experiencing a toothache and would like to know more about your options for treatment, give the dental office of Dr. Steven F. Stanley a call. Dr. Stanley has the expertise to give you top of the line dental treatment, and he has the compassion to make sure you receive gentle and considerate care. He treats people in Mid-Wilshire Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, and West Hollywood with quality dentistry.