Proper care of the smile is incredibly important to avoid the development of conditions such as tooth decay and periodontal disease. When a tooth has been affected in this manner, patients may experience pain. Drs. Pasquier of Miami Modern Dental provide Miami, FL area patients with solutions for maintaining their oral health and wellness – and sometimes that solution is root canal therapy.
What is tooth decay?
First, it is essential for patients to fully understand tooth decay. Tooth decay is the development of cavities within the teeth, most often caused by poor oral hygiene habits. When patients do not brush and floss their teeth regularly or visit their dentist at least twice a year, they may be at risk of developing tooth decay. The decay eats away at the natural tooth enamel and causes holes that can reach the dental pulp. The dental pulp is tissue including the nerves and blood supply. When the pulp becomes infected, it can result in severe toothaches. At this point, the only option for fixing the tooth is root canal therapy to avoid extraction of the natural tooth.
Root canal therapy described
Patients often cringed when they hear the term “root canal.” The image of this procedure brings about thoughts of pain and discomfort. Fortunately, root canal therapy actually eliminates pain, not causes it. The procedure is performed with proper sedation and anesthetics to ensure patient comfort from start to finish, and patients feel great after they have their procedure completed. The process requires that the dentist access the inner canals of the natural tooth structure through a small hole. Then, special instruments are utilized to remove the dental pulp and disinfect the entire inside area. Once this has been completed, the tooth is sealed with gutta percha and composite resin. Many times, our dental team suggests the fabrication and placement of a dental crown over the natural tooth. This is to provide an extra layer of protection in the event the tooth becomes weak and brittle.
What are the benefits of root canal therapy?
- Affordable
- Saves the natural tooth
- Avoids the need for tooth extraction
- Extremely successful
- Safe
What other solutions are available for tooth decay?
When tooth decay has not yet gone deep enough to affect the dental pulp, patients may address it with a filling. Fillings are commonly done in dentistry to fix areas where tooth decay has eroded away at the natural tooth enamel. The filling keeps the cavity from getting larger while also eliminating the chance of bacteria entering the tooth’s structure. While fillings used to be done with a material called silver amalgam, many dentists have begun to shy away from using this. Silver amalgam is made with up to 50 percent mercury, a harmful substance for the human body, and can result in mercury toxicity. Instead, many dentists, including the team of Miami Modern Dental, have moved towards composite resin fillings. These are not only safer to use within the smile because it is biocompatible, but these fillings are also more aesthetic. Instead of appearing as metal inside of the tooth, they match the color of natural tooth enamel for seamless integration. Composite resin fillings are affordable and commonly used for mild to moderate areas of tooth decay. In some cases, patients may benefit from an inlay or onlay, or even a crown, to strengthen the tooth which may become compromised after large fillings are placed.
Is tooth decay affecting your smile’s health and your overall comfort?
When tooth decay, disease, and other dental problems begin to affect your overall quality of life, it is important that you schedule a consultation appointment with our staff at Miami Modern Dental. Drs. Pasquier are available to assist patients in addressing common dental concerns with treatments such as root canal therapy. Contact the team today by calling (786) 338-9228 or visit our practice at 7155 West Flagler Street in Miami, Florida.
