Considering undergoing endodontic care services because you think you have an abscess in one of your teeth? Good idea, as an abscessed tooth is definitely in need of professional dental treatment. Without endodontic care, an abscessed tooth will only continue to get worse, which can potentially spread the infection to other parts of your body, and this is something you definitely do not want to have happen.
What does an abscessed tooth mean?
Thinking endodontic care is in your near future? It is if you currently have an abscessed tooth. According to Healthline, an abscessed tooth is a pocket of pus that can form in different parts of the tooth as a result of a bacterial infection. The pain associated with this dental problem tends to be somewhere in between moderate and severe, which takes place in the tooth, as well as the ear and neck. It is possible for an untreated abscessed tooth to turn into a life-threatening situation.
The order in which endodontists treat an abscessed tooth
The list below includes how an endodontist will treat an abscessed tooth and starts with the first type of treatment they will offer their patients. It is important to understand that the overall goal of treating an abscessed tooth is getting rid of the infection.
Draining the abscess
The first type of endodontic care many patients will undergo in order to treat their abscess is to have it drained. This requires an endodontist to make a small incision in the abscess, which allows the pus to completely drain out. Then the area will be washed and cleaned in order to ensure that all of the infection has been removed.
Root canal therapy
If draining the abscess is not an option, then the next option is performing a root canal. Root canal therapy is a common type of endodontic care provided to patients who have an infected tooth. The process requires an endodontist to make a small hole in a tooth so they can remove all of the infection. The tooth is then filled and sealed, allowing it to once again function properly.
Extracting the tooth
Extracting the abscessed tooth is the last option for treatment. While it is always ideal to save a tooth whenever possible, sometimes it is not possible. When a tooth needs to be extracted from the mouth because it has an abscess in it, the entire area will be properly cleaned in order to thoroughly get rid of the infection. When a tooth needs to be extracted, the patient needs to choose a tooth replacement option in order to continue experiencing good oral health.
Do you currently have an abscessed tooth?
Are you in need of endodontic care because you have an abscess in one of your teeth? If you do, understand that you are in need of professional dental treatment. As you can see from the information above, there are a few different ways that an endodontist can treat an abscessed tooth. In order for you to understand the type of treatment you need, you need to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.