How to Treat an Abscessed Tooth

Dental abscesses typically mean one thing: an infected nerve inside of your tooth. If you don’t treat it soon enough, you may lose the tooth entirely. In extremely rare situations, abscesses can spread to other parts of the face or even into the brain. Although this is not extremely common, it does re-emphasize the importance of timely care for our Wantrina South patients.

Because an abscess is inside of your tooth, it’s important to access the nerve and remove the dying tissues inside of the hollow chamber that extends through the root. Generally, this endodontic procedure is referred to as a “root canal.”

“Can’t I Just Get an Antibiotic?”

An antibiotic may be necessary before getting a root canal. The medication clears up a large portion of the infection so that the tooth is easier to work on. In turn, this makes it easier to numb the tooth; otherwise the increased inflammation would make anaesthetising the area extremely challenging.

However, antibiotics don’t prevent the abscess from returning. An infected tooth will only continue to become infected, because the opening (crack or cavity) allows new bacteria into the nerve chamber.

Modern Root Canal Treatments in Wantrina South

Endodontic therapy cleans away the dental infection and preserves your tooth so that you can continue using it for many more years to come. After numbing it, an access point is created to remove the nerve, clean the hollow chamber, and seal it off.

After having a root canal, you’ll need to get a crown over the tooth so that the weakened enamel doesn’t wear or chip away prematurely. At Studfield Dental Group we will match the porcelain restoration so that it blends in with the rest of your teeth.

If you have an abscess or toothache, call Studfield Dental Group today to schedule an exam.