It is normal to have bacteria present in the mouth, but certain types of bacteria can cause serious problems. This includes the development of periodontal disease and cavities. Cavities are tooth decay that burrow into the natural enamel of a tooth and can become large and extremely deep. When this happens, it can result in an access point to the dental pulp within the tooth. Bacteria can enter and result in an infection that causes a severe toothache. In situations such as this, a filling alone cannot help. Instead, patients will need to treat the severe tooth decay with root canal therapy.
What is root canal therapy?
Drs. Stanley Hirst and Bethany Jensen describe root canal therapy, or “endodontic treatment,” as a procedure during which the dentist will access the inner areas of the tooth canals to remove the dental pulp. After this has been completed, the area is thoroughly disinfected to ensure no bacteria remains. Then the tooth is filled with gutta percha and composite resin bonding to seal it off. In most cases, our dentist may also place a dental crown over the tooth, as it can become weak, brittle, and susceptible to damage. This gives the tooth another layer of protection and strength to avoid future problems.
What happens if root canal therapy doesn’t work?
When done correctly, root canal therapy can be extremely effective in saving a tooth. However, there are situations in which it may fail, or root canal therapy will not be enough to save the tooth due to extreme damage. This situation may call for permanent extraction and replacement of the tooth.
Save your tooth with endodontic treatment
When a tooth suffers from internal decay, it doesn’t mean that extraction is the only fix. If you want to learn more about how to treat a tooth to save it with root canal therapy, contact the team at Broadway Family Dentistry. Minot, ND area patients can obtain the best possible care with our dentists, Drs. Stanley Hirst and Bethany Jensen. Call our office at (701) 839-1299 to request a visit at our office, conveniently located at 1839 South Broadway Street.
