What is an Infected Root Tip?

Infections at the tips of tooth roots, known scientifically as periapical abscesses, have been in the news recently after a study found a link between them and heart disease. We’ve long believed at Lehigh Valley Dental that oral health is crucial to overall health and we want our patients to be aware of how dangerous a tooth infection can be.

Pus is liquid comprised of bacteria and dead tissue. An abscess is what a pocket of pus at the site of an infection is called. When present at the tip of a tooth root, an abscess is the result of bacteria entering the tooth’s inner pulp. They may have gotten in through a carry caused by slowly progressing tooth decay or a traumatic injury. When limited to the tooth, an infection can cause pain, swelling, and a persistent bad taste. But when it spreads, it can cause a blood infection and deadly sepsis. The root tip infections linked to heart disease had not presented any symptoms.

The best way to prevent a periapical abscess is by maintaining regular oral hygiene. However, because one can occur without symptoms, it is important to regularly get x-rays done at a dental office. If an abscess does develop, it may require draining or root canal treatment.

Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD, operates Lehigh Valley Smiles at 2601 Nazareth Road, Easton, Pennsylvania, 18045. To schedule an appointment, call 610-252-7414 or visit LehighValleySmiles.net and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Rotary Endodontics

Root canals used to get a scary reputation but with advances in technology, they now feel similar to having a cavity filled- minor discomfort. At Lehigh Valley Smiles in Easton, PA, we use rotary endodontics to make this possible.

In the past, manual, steel files were used to perform root canals. Rotary endodontics uses an electric drill that has a much more flexible file, made of titanium alloy. The flexibility allows the dentist to go further into the root without stretching or damaging the canal. This means a more comfortable experience for the patient during and after the procedure. The electric drill is also much quieter than the manual files of the past, so those who get anxious about hearing the drilling will be at ease with the quiet noise. In addition to these benefits, rotary endodontics allows us to perform root canals quicker than before. This is a benefit for both the patient and the dentist.

To learn more about our technology or root canals, be sure to visit our website, www.lehighvalleysmiles.net. To set up an appointment at Lehigh Valley Smiles of Easton, PA, call our office at (610) 252-7414 or visit our website.

Apicoectomy for When Root Canals Do Not Work

Infected teeth are irritating and painful. Having a root canal often can solve the problem, but when it doesn’t, it can be even more frustrating. When root canals and retreatment fails, this is when Dr. Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD decides to perform an apicoectomy. This surgical procedure is successful in relieving the pain of an infected tooth, restoring health, and often save a tooth from being extracted.

An apicoectomy involves removing the tip of the tooth root, cleaning, and sealing the area. First, Dr. Dilsaver will make incisions to reveal the tooth root. The infected tissue is removed, along with a few millimeters of the tooth’s root. Dr. Dilsaver will clean the area and seal the end of the tooth root. The gums are stitched together. Within a few months, the bone will heal around the end of the root. This procedure has a high success rate.

If you have had one or more root canal therapy treatments, and still experience pain and sensitivity to a tooth, it may be time to think about an apicoectomy. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD of Lehigh Valley Smiles in our Easton, PA location, call (610) 252-7414 or visit our website, www.lehighvalleysmiles.net.