Highly Reviewed Dentist Dr. Binh Hoang Offers Root Canal Therapy in Springfield VA
Root canal treatments play an essential part in keeping the mouth healthy.
It becomes necessary when bacteria penetrate the pulp of the tooth—it’s painful for patients because of all the nerve tissue in the area.
Once the pulp becomes infected, patients must move fast to secure treatment. The infection won’t clear up by itself, and, if left too long, could spread to the gums, other teeth, and the jawbone.
Patients must prevent the infection from reaching the jawbone, or the damage may become irreparable.
What is the solution? Call Nova Dental Center for help from the professionals.
What Does a Root Canal Entail?
A root canal procedure has a reputation for being painful, but this is seldom the case because the nerve is already dead. The dentist still applies a local anesthetic to be sure, checking that the area is thoroughly numb before the procedure starts.
In the first phase of the treatment, the dentist drills a hole in the tooth. The hole gives access to the pulp of the teeth, which needs to be carefully scraped out. Then, they rinse the area with an anti-bacterial solution.
If the dentist is satisfied that the infection is clear, they’ll fill the cavity. If not, they’ll ask the patient to return in a week to check that the infection has disappeared. The dentist may also opt to cap the tooth for further stability.
Patients might wish to avoid this procedure, and the only other option is to remove the infected tooth. An extraction will solve the immediate issue, but there are other challenges with this choice.
Alternatives to Root Canals
With extractions, there’s a higher chance of the bacteria spreading to the surrounding area, for example. The area will require time to heal and feel tender for a few days.
A root canal treatment removes the source of the pain without impacting the surrounding tissue.
What’s of greater concern is that an extraction causes a gap in the teeth, reducing the support to the adjacent teeth. It might start to shift over time, and the misalignment often becomes noticeable.
While extractions are less expensive in the short-term, it is pricier in the long-term. Patients might need an implant or bridge to fill the gap, for example. These options will be more expensive than a simple root canal.
Depending on the age of the patient, realigning the teeth will entail using braces. These other procedures add to the cost and inconvenience of an extraction.
Deciding whether to extract a tooth or opt for a root canal can be difficult for patients. Neither seems like an optimal solution, but there’s only one clear choice–the root canal. Saving the tooth, where possible, is always the preferable outcome.
Get to Know the Friendly Team at the Washington Center for Cosmetic and Family Dentistry
What is your best option? Schedule a consultation with the team at the Washington Center for Cosmetic and Family Dentistry. The expert team will go over the patient’s options, explaining each in full, and deciding the best way forward together. Call the professionals today.