A severely decayed or infected tooth was once cause for a tooth extraction. If the interior of the tooth was damaged, it often was removed to stop the pain and prevent further health issues. However, advancements in endodontics has made it possible to repair diseased or damaged teeth to help you keep your natural smile and protect your overall health.
What Is Endodontics?
The field of dentistry has seven specialty divisions, including endodontics. This specialty involves repairing the interior of the tooth. Most tooth repairs involve cracks or decay in the enamel or dentin of the tooth (the hard exterior of the tooth). Endodontics is used when the pulp, or softer, live tissue inside the tooth is affected, requiring more intricate procedures.
The most common endodontic procedure is the root canal. This procedure involves removing infected, decayed, or diseased pulp and nerve roots inside a tooth. Using advanced imaging and special tools, the tooth canals are cleared of diseased pulp, and the canals are disinfected. Once the canals are treated, they are repacked with a special material, and the tooth is sealed. To protect the tooth from further damage, a dental crown is usually added.
How Can Endodontics Save a Tooth?
When there is deep infection or decay inside a tooth, it must be treated or the tooth can die. Without a root canal, or endodontics, the pain can be excruciating and the infection can spread. Before this option was available, the tooth would be removed to protect the health of the patient and stop the pain. However, losing a tooth can cause other problems in the mouth, including shifting teeth and other issues that can lead to additional tooth loss.
With endodontics, you can save your tooth from extraction. Once the decay, damage, or infection is treated inside the tooth, it can last the rest of your life. This can help protect your overall oral health and your beautiful smile, reducing the need for dental implants, bridges, or other dental restorations.
At Pearland Family Dentistry, we offer endodontics to help our patients protect their natural smiles. If you, or a family member, has an infected or severely damaged tooth, our caring dental team can offer the most advanced options for treatment, including gentle root canals. Your health and smile are important to us – let us help you get the best care available in Houston for your beautiful smile.