Treating an Infection With a Root Canal

Could that nagging pain in your tooth be related to an infection in the pulp? Your dentist in Alexandria, VA, Dr. Moutaz Abdeen of Alexandria Smiles Dentistry, can diagnose the source of your pain and recommend root canal therapy if you happen to have an infection.

Why infections are so dangerous

The bacteria in your pulp won't necessarily remain in your tooth if you have an infection. Infections also lead to tooth loss if they're not treated. Once the tooth dies, it's no longer nourished by your bloodstream and may eventually fall out.

How can you tell if you have an infection?

Severe, throbbing pain often accompanies an infection, but it's possible to have an infection even if you only have moderate pain. Did your severe pain suddenly go away? Although that may seem like a good sign, you may still have an infection. The pain may have simply stopped because the nerves in the pulp died.

A tooth infection, just like any other infection, can make you feel sick. In addition to feeling miserable, you may notice that the lower half of your face is swollen or your gum is sore and inflamed. Other symptoms of an infection can include a pimple-like bump on the gum, pus around the tooth and swollen lymph nodes. If you have any of these symptoms, call the dentist immediately.

How do root canals treat tooth infections?

During root canal therapy at our Alexandria dental office, your dentist removes the pulp, eliminating the source of your pain. The tooth and the root canals are cleaned and shaped, and antibiotics are added to the interior of the tooth to kill lingering bacteria. After the tooth drains, a permanent filling made of gutta-percha, a durable, rubber-based filling will be added to restore it.

You'll also need to take antibiotics to kill the bacteria and prevent the infection from spreading.

Prompt root canal treatment can help you avoid tooth loss due to an infection. If you're concerned about a painful tooth, call your Alexandria, VA, dentist, Dr. Abdeen of Alexandria Smiles Dentistry, at (703) 671-0626 to schedule your appointment.

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Monday:

10:00 am-6:00 pm

Tuesday:

10:00 am-6:00 pm

Wednesday:

10:00 am-6:00 pm

Thursday:

10:00 am-6:00 pm

Friday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed