07
Dec
Frequently Asked Questions About Infected Teeth, Treatment Options
Teeth can become infected and root canal treatment may be necessary due to tooth decay, deep fillings, faulty crowns, or cracks. Our specialists at Endodontic Consultants of San Antonio, Texas, Dr. Rick Davis and Dr. Rick Schwartz, have advanced training to diagnose and treat infected teeth.
Why Is Root Canal Treatment Recommended?
We help patients from south and central Texas (and beyond) preserve their teeth rather than have them extracted. Root canal treatment resolves the underlying cause of painful symptoms: infection or inflammation of the pulp. In doing so, we restore the structure, health, function, and appearance of the tooth.
How Does the Pulp Become Damaged?
The dental pulp contains nerves, vessels, and other soft tissues. In healthy teeth, the pulp is protected by dentin and enamel. The pulp nourishes developing teeth and is the reason your teeth can feel hot and cold foods or drinks. Any time the protective dentin and enamel layers are damaged, the health of the pulp may be compromised. Deep decay can lead to pulpal inflammation or infection. Leaky crowns and cracks in the teeth also increase the risk of pulpal damage.
What Are the Symptoms of An Infected Tooth?
Pain and swelling are the most common symptoms caused by a root canal infection. Temperature sensitivity is also a common symptom. Pain may be experienced when chewing and sometimes occurs spontaneously. It might even wake you up in the middle of the night. Temperature sensitivity that lingers after contact with hot or cold suggests a possible problem. Without prompt treatment, the surrounding bone and tissue can become infected (abscessed). Abscesses are associated with persistent pain and pressure which may result in swelling of the gums or face. Specialty treatment prevents the spread of the infection to other parts of the face, neck, and body. It also provides relief from pain and resolution of swelling.
Call Our Office for More Information
New Patients: (210) 405-0473 | Existing Patients: (210) 497-6699
How Does Root Canal Therapy Treat the Infection?
Our specialists, Dr. Rick Davis and Dr. Rick Schwartz remove the nerves and infection from the tooth, flush it out and then seal the tooth to protect and strengthen it, and prevent reinfection.
Endodontic Consultants of San Antonio welcome your questions about tooth pain, dental damage, and treatment options. Call us at (210) 405-0473.
We are privileged to support the oral health and well-being of individuals from Boerne, Eagle Pass, Spring Branch, Laredo, Kerrville, Del Rio, Fredericksburg, Texas, and beyond.
Dr. Richard Davis, DDS
Richard D. Davis, DDS, graduated from high school in Japan, attended the University of Washington dental school, and joined the Air Force as a general dentist in 1978. He completed the Air Force one-year AEGD residency, a two-year Advanced General Dentistry Residency, and a fellowship in biomaterials at the University of Indiana. Dr. Davis was a clinical instructor, research director, and lecturer at the Air Force. He has published many scientific articles and research papers, and has lectured on many topics. Following retirement from the Air Force in 1999, he completed the graduate program in endodontics at the University of Oregon in 2001, and joined Dr. Schwartz and has been in private practice in endodontics since then.
Dr. Richard Schwartz, DDS
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Richard S. Schwartz, DDS, graduated from the University of Minnesota dental school in 1977. He was a restorative dentist for 19 years: Early in his career, he attended a two-year general dentistry residency while in the US Air Force, and then did a combination of private practice, teaching, and dental materials research before entering endodontic post-graduate training in 1996. He has authored over 100 articles and abstracts in scientific journals and lectured extensively in the US and in 21 other countries, including 12 times at the American Association of Endodontists’ national meeting. Since 1998 Dr. Schwartz has been in full-time private practice in endodontics in San Antonio, TX, and has practiced with Dr. Davis since 2001. He was a founding member and first secretary/treasurer of the International Association of Endodontics. He is also a member of the American Dental Association and International Association of Dental Specialists.
