Cavities and tooth decay are prevalent issues here in Australia. Even young children are affected by cavities and suffer from dental complications. It is important that you visit the dentist Coorparoo on a regular basis to prevent such issues and take your family with you, so that you can all enjoy healthy teeth and gums as well as overall health and wellbeing. By visiting the dentist at least once every 6 months any excess plaque and tartar can be removed from your teeth and your teeth can be examined for early signs of cavities.
If detected early, cavities can be reversed with good dental hygiene, an antiseptic mouthwash or a course of antibiotics where necessary. If you avoid the dentist then cavities can become larger and deeper. This means that they can affect the dentine which is the middle layer of your teeth and eventually affect the dental pulp which contains the nerves of your teeth. If this occurs then you will require restorative dental treatment. You will need to undergo an X-ray to see how far the cavity has reached and if it has affected the pulp, then your dentist will probably recommend that you undergo a root canal treatment. By this time you will probably be in a lot of pain and discomfort and although the root canal treatment is an invasive dental procedure it will help resolve the pain and discomfort and restore the health of your teeth.
How is root canal treatment carried out?
Root canal treatment is carried out to completely remove the decayed tissue of the tooth. This tissue may be infected with bacteria and by removing the tissue your dentist can prevent the infection from spreading to the bone. The tooth is irrigated to flush out any cell debris and bacteria. Once the canals are clean and the tooth is no longer painful, the canals can be tightly filled with a special compound creating a seal. Your dentist will attempt to close the pulp cavity in the root canals tightly with the compound so that any remaining bacteria does not have the space to multiply. The dentist will then take an X-ray to make sure that the root canal has been carried out successfully. The only alternative to a root canal treatment is a tooth extraction, however your dentist will try their best to treat and restore your tooth rather than remove it all together.
Tooth extraction and replacing missing teeth
If there is irreversible damage to your teeth then you can speak to your dentist and find out about having a tooth extraction. If you do undergo a tooth extraction then you will need to replace the tooth so that you restore the health and appearance of your mouth. Dental implants are an excellent method of replacing missing teeth and your dentist will be able to educate you on the process and put together a treatment plan accordingly.
Whether you require a root canal treatment or you undergo a tooth extraction, your dentist will make sure that you receive the highest standard of dental care and customer service so that you can restore your teeth comfortably and successfully and enjoy better dental health for life. Visit your dentist sooner rather than later to address your dental needs and prevent greater complications in the future.
Disclaimer: All treatments carry risks. Individual consultation is required with one of our practitioners to ensure that the treatment is right for you.