While it may not be at the forefront of your mind at all times, your oral health is important to keep track of. Indeed, a consistent combination of brushing and flossing, attending your regularly scheduled appointments, and making sure to pay attention to the foods and beverages you consume can bring your smile a long way toward health and security for life. Keep in mind, however, that if you fall short of any of these steps, you could experience issues such as infection, decay, and even tooth loss. In today’s blog, your Leawood, KS dentist will discuss what happens once a cavity has spread internally and how a root canal treatment can help.
The Root of the Problem
The oral bacteria that cause concerns such as toothaches or periodontal disease is the same bacteria that cause cavities. When you eat or drink, they feed off of the food particles and sugars that remain, causing them to secrete harmful acids that in turn break down the natural structure of your teeth. If left unmanaged, this damage will compound and cause your tooth to weaken, eventually forming a hole, which is known as a cavity. Oftentimes, these can be treated with a dental filling, but bear in mind, however, that if they are to progress extensively, this restoration would fail. This is because the decay will have spread to the center of the tooth, causing damage to the nerves and inner tissues known as the dental pulp. In other words, the only viable option to treat decay once it has progressed to a moderate to severe level is to get to the root of the problem – literally.
Removing Decay
When you attend your root canal visit, your dentist will enter the inner portion of the tooth through the cavity that has formed, and work to thoroughly remove the infected portions of inner dental pulp. Once all of this has been removed, your dentist will fill the open canals with a dental material and finish off your procedure with a crown to encourage a healthy recovery. For more information about this process, contact our team.
A Healthy Recovery
The last thing your dentist wants is to extract a tooth because it is severely damaged and compromised. As a means of avoiding this, we recommend attending necessary visits to ensure the health of your smile, and sometimes that includes a root canal to preserve your natural structure. In most circumstances, you can expect a healthy recovery and efficient process if you take the necessary steps to care for it.
Schedule Your Visit
For more information about your root canal procedure or to schedule your visit with our team, contact Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS by calling 913-681-5500 today.
