765-348-4111 Every part of your tooth is important, but the pulp is a very vital part. The pulp contains the nerves, blood vessels and the tissue that connects the tooth to your mouth. From time to time, you may get a cavity, or your tooth may become damaged. If the bacteria or decay works its way into the pulp, the resulting infection can lead to the death of the pulp. The infection may cause a painful abscess, the loss of the tooth, and even to damage to your jaw. When the infection sets in, you will feel pain and may experience swelling in the area. At that point, our dentist, Dr. Raymond Maddox at Maddox Family Dental Center in Hartford City, Indiana may suggest a root canal.
A root canal may be done in a single visit, or it may take two or three visits to the dentist to fix the problem. During the root canal, the dentist will remove any decay, and then open a space in the crown of your tooth through which he will remove the pulp. The process can save the tooth and will keep the infection from causing you further problems. The resulting space is then filled to help preserve the tooth. Finally, the tooth is restored, either with a filling or crown. Your dentist may prescribe an antibiotic to combat any residual infection, and an over-the-counter pain reliever can address any discomfort that you may feel. If pain or pressure persists, you should contact the dentist for a follow-up appointment.
If you are experiencing pain in your teeth and you need a dentist’s help; or if it just time for your cleaning and checkup, Dr. Maddox would be happy to see you. Contact our office at 765-348-4111 today to schedule an appointment.