For many patients, tooth sensitivity is a common occurrence at some point in life. In most cases, sensitivity can often be treated with minimally invasive procedures or changes to your oral hygiene routine. But sometimes, tooth sensitivity in Flower Mound, TX, could be a sign of a more complex dental problem. When this happens, patients may need a tooth extraction to help protect and restore their oral health. When you go in for your appointment, your dentist will examine the affected area and take X-rays to determine if extraction is needed.
Treatment Options for Tooth Sensitivity in Flower Mound, TX
Extraction is one of the more extensive procedures for tooth sensitivity. But it’s not always needed. In many cases, you could treat your sensitivity with less-extreme procedures. What kind of treatment you need will ultimately come down to the cause of the sensitivity and your overall oral health.
Dental Filling
Tooth sensitivity is often one of the early warning signs of decay or damage. When the enamel layer of our teeth starts to wear away, the exposed dentin layer will often lead to sensitivity problems. If you catch decay or damage early on, you may be able to restore your tooth with a simple dental filling. If the decay or damage spreads, you may need more extensive treatment, such as a dental crown. Your dentist will visually examine the affected tooth and take X-rays to determine what kind of treatment is best for your decay or damage.
Root Canal
The innermost layer of our teeth contains a dental pulp that is connected to the rest of our bodies through blood vessels and nerves. When the pulp becomes infected, it tends to swell, pushing against the hard casing of the tooth. This can lead to serious pain and sensitivity in most patients.
To help preserve your tooth, your dentist may be able to perform a root canal procedure. This treatment involves drilling a small hole in your tooth to extract the infected pulp. Many patients report immediate relief to pain and sensitivity once the procedure is complete. To finish treatment, you will likely need a dental crown as well.
Tooth Extraction
Tooth extraction is often the worst-case scenario. If you visit your dentist as soon as you notice sensitivity, you can often save your tooth through other treatment options. But if you allow sensitivity to go untreated, you may end up with decay, damage, or disease that’s too widespread. When this happens, tooth extraction may be the only option to help protect the rest of your mouth. In these cases, your dentist may recommend an extraction followed by implant placement to help restore your bite after tooth loss.
If you experience sensitive teeth, the sooner you act, the better. At Flower Mound Dental, we provide a range of services that can help treat the underlying causes of tooth sensitivity. Call us today at 972-640-7891 to schedule an exam and see what treatment may be available.