Did you know that injured and badly damaged teeth could sometimes be saved? If you crack, dislodge, or allow a tooth to become deeply decayed, there is hope with endodontic therapy. This type of treatment can prevent the need for the surgical removal (extraction) of a tooth. When a tooth is injured or diseased, it is important to visit the dentist as quickly as possible so that our team can determine if the tooth can be saved with root canal therapy (endodontic treatment) and restorations.

How Root Canal Treatment Saves Teeth

Inside the roots of teeth is a small canal. This canal is a chamber-like area that contains nerve endings and dental pulp. Nerve endings and pulp are sealed off from debris and irritants in a healthy tooth, but if a tooth is substantially damaged from trauma or disease, this material inside the tooth is exposed to bacteria and debris, and can become infected. When the nerve endings and pulp become infected, patients typically experience severe discomfort and the tooth itself can die or an abscess will form.

To remedy the effects of an exposed root canal, endodontic treatment is necessary. This treatment involves accessing the root canal with small tools and removing its contents including the nerve endings. The inside of the canal is then irrigated to remove all debris and irritants. Once this is done, the root canal is sealed with gutta-percha, a rubber-like compound that will protect the tooth from the inside out.

By removing the infected contents inside a tooth, our dentists can prevent the development of an abscess, the loss of a tooth, or the need for an extraction. Sometimes, teeth that have been knocked out, dislodged, and impacted can be saved with this type of treatment.

Teeth can’t always be saved, however, and extractions may be required to prevent problematic oral health issues. When extracting teeth, our team takes great care to ensure a positive and comfortable experience.

For more information, contact The Dental Place at 972-264-5795 today to reserve an appointment.

There was a time not too long ago that a tooth filling was silver. Over time, the silver darkened. But since that was the only material available to correct dental decay, everyone was in the same boat. If you had a cavity, you had a silver filling.

However with the discovery of composite resin to correct a number of dental problems, you no longer have to suffer with this cosmetic issue.

The resin is made from a plastic and can be designed to match your natural tooth making dental repairs virtually undetectable and safe. It is used for:

Dental bonding – a chipped tooth can appear whole again. Tooth stain can be blended away making this cosmetic enhancement beautiful and affordable. For gum recession, the bonding material can be added to provide comfort by protecting a portion of the tooth’s exposed root as well as adding a cosmetic benefit.

Decay – when a cavity occurs, your dentist is no longer forced to remove a great deal of your tooth to hold the filling in place. Removing less of the tooth allows it to maintain more structural strength. With tooth-colored fillings, the decay is removed and the restoration is placed in stages providing added support and natural appearance with each layer. Your dentist is able to provide the correct contour and shading to provide a repair that will match neighboring teeth.

Updating old fillings – patients can replace old amalgam fillings with tooth-colored resin.

Caring for teeth treated with composite resin is the same as performed before … brush twice daily with a fluoridated tooth paste and floss daily to remove food debris not reached by the tooth brush.

See your dentist every six months for a complete cleaning and dental exam. The dental exam will identify potential and existing problems that can be treated before they have a chance to escalate into time consuming and costly treatment.

If decay is detected, you know you will be able to undergo correction that will enhance your smile, not detract from it. For additional information or to schedule your visit, contact our team at The Dental Place today.