Your permanent teeth were designed to be permanent residents of your mouth. While your teeth are made up of the hardest substance in the human body, tooth enamel, they are not invincible to injury, decay, or infection. Trauma to the tooth or jaw can lead to a tooth dying from the inside out, and severe cavities can cause decay to enter into the innermost layer of the tooth. If the tooth is damaged in the pulp, the tooth is vulnerable to dying a painful death. Teeth are living substances, and they must be treated properly in order for them to survive for a lifetime.
Root canals are procedures which are performed when a tooth is infected. If you have the idea that root canals are painful, your misconception could lead you to avoid this necessary procedure. Root canals are not painful – infected teeth are painful. Having a root canal is the procedure that alleviates the pain of an infected tooth. Putting off this necessary procedure will only lead to excruciating pain, the death of the tooth, and the need for more extensive treatment.
Root canals are typically performed under local anesthesia so that patients do not feel any pain during the procedure. However, Dr. Ashley Dinh, DDS, PC, understands that many patients feel more anxiety about dental work and find that they need something more to help them relax. Our practice proudly offers oral sedatives and nitrous oxide for patients who find it difficult to relax during dental procedures. It is our goal to help you quickly feel at ease so that you are able to receive the dental care that you need. During the procedure, the tooth is opened so that the infection can fully be removed from the tooth. Once the tooth is completely cleaned out, it will be treated with antibiotics, filled, and then sealed in order to prevent further damage to the tooth.
Dr. Ashley Dinh and her entire dental staff want to promote optimal oral health in all patients. We understand how painful infected teeth can be and how scary it can be to seek treatment. Dr. Dinh is committed to providing gentle and compassionate care to her patients so that they feel comfortable receiving the treatment that they need. It is essential to treat an infected tooth as soon as possible to protect the health of the entire mouth. If you have an infected tooth or any type of tooth pain, please contact us today to schedule an appointment.
Posted on behalf Ashley Dinh, DDS
Ashley Dinh, DDS
107 E Holly Ave, Suite 5
Sterling, VA 20164
(703) 430-6655
Monday – Friday 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM