- MO
- 8AM - 5PM
- TU
- 8AM - 5PM
- WE
- 8AM - 3PM
- TH
- 8AM - 5PM
- FR
- Closed
- SA
- Closed
When the interior of a tooth becomes infected, damaged or severely decayed, it can be in jeopardy of needing extraction. Often the only way to prevent tooth loss is to perform root canal therapy, removing the diseased portion of the tooth. Our team at Lufkin Family Dental offers gentle root canals that can save your tooth and stop the pain of infection.
Root canal therapy is a specialized form of dentistry called endodontics. This involves removing the pulp or interior of the tooth that has been compromised from infection or decay. The canals of the tooth contain softer material called pulp which is the “live” portion of the tooth. When infection or decay reaches this interior canal, it can cause extreme pain and eventually kill the tooth if not treated.
While many people may equate root canals with a painful procedure, that is not the case with modern root canal therapy. The treatment is what is needed to stop the pain of an infected tooth and save it from loss. During the procedure, the area is numbed and the canals of the tooth are cleared of any diseased tooth material. The canals are disinfected and packed with a sterilized material before the tooth is reclosed and capped. Once the infected material is gone, so are the nerve roots that sent the pain signals. The tooth can heal and a dental crown is placed over the tooth to give it protection from further damage.
Root canal therapy techniques have advanced in recent years to improve the experience for the patient. Most patients have very little discomfort, similar to having a cavity removed. Our team at Lufkin Family Dental help ensure our patients are relaxed and comfortable during the procedure. When it is completed, the pain of the infection is gone and their tooth can quickly heal over the next few days.
If you have a painful infected tooth, contact Lufkin Family Dental today to schedule your consultation. We can help stop the pain and repair your tooth with gentle root canal therapy.