Treating More Severe Tooth Decay
Oral bacteria may not seem especially harmful when they first form plaque. However, when they reach the inner structures of your tooth, the resulting discomfort and threat to your oral health can become severe. When tooth decay is allowed to progress, it can reach the tooth’s pulp chamber, which houses its vital tissues, nerves, and blood vessels. Before long, the infection can travel through the root canal that extends into the jawbone, creating a much more significant risk to the tooth and the rest of your oral health. Because a tooth filling cannot successfully address internal decay, root canal treatment may be the only way to stop it from getting worse.
What Root Canal Treatment Means
Internal tooth decay means that the infection has reached the inner pulp chamber and root canal of your tooth. Restoring the tooth requires removing the infected tissues and nerves and then sealing the tooth’s root canal and pulp chamber. The procedure will stop the decay from progressing further, but it may also leave your tooth structurally weaker. To fortify it, your dentist may recommend placing a dental crown over the treated tooth to complete its restoration.
Find Out if You Need Root Canal Treatment
A severely decayed tooth may not be a candidate for a tooth filling, but you may still save it with conservative root canal treatment. For more information, schedule a consultation by calling Contemporary Dental in Bellaire, TX, today at 713-668-9119. We proudly welcome patients who live in Bellaire, Houston, West University/Southside Place, Southwest Houston, the Galleria area, and all surrounding communities.
