The nerve and blood supply that are located inside of each tooth serve some very important purposes. They provide the nutrition and sensations that keep our teeth vital, plus they keep the enamel looking and feeling healthy. Occasionally, and for a variety of reasons, the nerve and blood supply inside a particular tooth may become infected. In fact, in some instances, the nerve inside the tooth actually dies.
When the nerve tissue within the tooth is found to be unhealthy, the tooth can generally be saved with a root canal treatment. Essentially, your dentist can remove the diseased tissue through a tiny opening that can be made in the top or backside of the tooth. The space that once housed the nerve tissue will need to be cleaned, sterilized, and replaced with a nontoxic filling material.
When the nerve tissue within the tooth is found to be unhealthy, the tooth can generally be saved with a root canal treatment.
Quite often, this procedure can be performed without disturbing the outer structure of the tooth. The biting surface and the root structures can be preserved so as not to interfere with the looks of your smile or your eating ability.
It is fortunate that the outer surfaces of the teeth can be preserved even when the inner portion is no longer healthy. Once the procedure is completed, the tooth will be considered non-vital. This means that it no longer receives the blood supply that is required to keep the enamel strong, and it will be unable to transmit the sensation of feelings such as pressure or temperature. To address these changes, your dentist will generally recommend a dental crown for added strength.
When there are no other influencing factors, a root canal treatment is the ideal choice for saving a tooth that would otherwise need to be pulled. A dead or infected nerve cannot be cured with time or antibiotics, and leaving the issue unaddressed could be dangerous to your overall health.
Don’t let one bad apple spoil the bunch! Talk to our dental team today about saving your tooth with a root canal treatment today.
