Park Ridge Dentists Discuss Endodontic Treatment

Did you know that a tooth with an untreated cavity can become infected, putting it in a perilous situation? An infected tooth is in danger of dying, but it can still be preserved with endodontic treatment. To learn more about this kind of treatment, read the following information from your Park Ridge dentists, Dr. Maria Loukas and Dr. Thanasi Loukas.

The Purpose of Endodontic Treatment

As mentioned above, endodontic treatment is performed on teeth that have become infected. The goal of the treatment is to remove the infected pulp of a tooth so that the tooth’s structure can be preserved. The procedure that accomplishes this task is called root canal treatment. If root canal treatment is not performed, the tooth may eventually die and fall out. However, just because the tooth dies does not necessarily mean that the infection will die with it. In some cases, infections in teeth can spread into the jawbone and throughout the mouth, causing further oral health problems. They may also spread into the rest of the body, where they can cause illness, and in some rare cases, infections have spread to the brain causing death.

What to Expect from Root Canal Treatment

If you have a tooth in need of root canal treatment, you may have some trepidation about the procedure you are facing. However, root canal treatment is performed with patient comfort in mind. Anesthesia is used so that the pulp of the infected tooth can be reached and extracted without causing undue discomfort to the patient. The tooth is then filled, and in some cases, a dental crown may be fitted to restore the tooth and prevent further damage. Following the procedure, most patients report experiencing dull pain in the treated tooth for 1-2 days. This pain can be managed with prescription or over-the-counter pain relievers.

Schedule a Visit with Your Park Ridge Dentists

Do you have a tooth in need of endodontic treatment? If so, contact your Park Ridge dentists, Dr. Maria and Dr. Thanasi Loukas, today to schedule an appointment or a consultation by calling our 60068 dental office at (847) 696-1919. We proudly serve patients from Park Ridge and the surrounding Chicago communities.