Call us today! (214) 343-1818
Are you suffering with a nagging toothache? Are you worried that your tooth is badly damaged? Sometimes, teeth become deeply infected by decay or a severe fracture. A deep infection often requires a special form of treatment called root canal therapy. Root canal therapy is an endodontic procedure that treats the inside structures of teeth. Endodontic therapy can save a tooth from abscesses (a severe infection) or death. An abscessed or dead tooth often requires surgical removal, which can have profound ramifications on oral health and general well-being. Why is root canal treatment necessary? Deep inside the tooth is a hollow chamber that houses dental pulp, which contains vital cellular material along with the nerve endings of a tooth. Since a tooth is a living structure, the nerve and pulp can become infected when the root canal is exposed to debris and bacteria. The root canal of a healthy tooth is protected from bacteria and debris, but not when a tooth is badly damaged. An exposed root canal is very prone to becoming infected, and once infected, the inside of the tooth must be treated to prevent further complications. What is root canal therapy, exactly? Root canal therapy involves removing the infected material inside a tooth. Using tiny tools, our dentist will extract the infected nerve and pulp out of the tooth. The root canal will then be irrigated to remove all debris and sealed with gutta-percha, a rubber-like compound that protects the structural integrity of the inside of a tooth. After root canal treatment, patients’ discomfort and toothaches are eliminated. How do I know if endodontic therapy is necessary? If you are suffering with toothaches, there is a good chance you may need a root canal; however, the only way to be certain is to have an oral examination. Using diagnostic tools, our team can determine if the cause of discomfort is due to an infected root canal. If endodontic therapy is necessary, our dentist will develop a treatment plan that meets your needs. Call the office of Barry H. Buchanan, DDS, today to schedule an appointment for a cleaning or checkup.
Some folks might think that tooth decay is only a problem that children endure, however, the truth is that cavities can affect a person at any age. Many adults have been treated with restorative dental work after developing tooth decay. Since many folks believe that cavities are only a problem for children, some adults avoid visiting the dentist for routine checkups and cleanings. Once a cavity forms, it must be professionally treated with restorative dental procedures, such as the placement of a filling to prevent the cavity from deepening and infecting the innermost structures of a tooth. Following is some helpful information on understanding why cavities form and how they are treated. How Cavities Develop A healthy tooth has a strong enamel coating that surrounds the entire tooth above the gum line. While tooth enamel is very durable and strong, it can be damaged. If enamel is damaged, the soft dentin structure of teeth is exposed to bacteria that cause cavities. The most common way that tooth enamel is damaged is by exposure to acid. Strongly acidic beverages and foods can strip away the minerals that compose enamel and permanently damage tooth enamel with time. Once the structure of teeth underneath enamel is exposed, bacteria can begin to eat through the tooth, which forms a cavity. While a broken bone or ligament can theoretically heal on its own, a tooth cannot. Since a tooth cannot self-heal, a professional restoration is needed to prevent a cavity from reaching the nerves of a tooth. Types of Restorations Restorations are used to preserve teeth from further damage. A restoration may be made from a number of different materials such as composite resin, porcelain, or metal. The type of restoration will depend on the width and depth of the cavity. For example, small areas of decay are treated with a filling. Made from composite resin (a tooth colored compound) or amalgam (a mixture of metals) a filling preserves as much biological tooth structure as possible while protecting the tooth from further damage. Dental crowns (a porcelain or metal cap) are placed over a tooth when decay or damage is more severe. Call our practice to schedule a checkup with our dentist, Dr. Barry Buchanan.