Saving Your Tooth From A Root Canal

MIAMI - Oct. 10, 2014 - PRLog -- Castaneda Family Dentistry

Dr. Ricardo Castaneda

  Dental caries, often so-called cavities or tooth decay, are erosions of the surface of the tooth caused by the combined effects of bacteria, acids, plaque and tartar. Dental caries are usually painless at first, but they may become painful if they spread and if it is left untreated, dental caries can progress to more painful and possibly serious condition

The tooth shown in figure 1 has a cavity that extends sub-gingival, (below the gum line); therefore, an additional procedure is required to completely remove all of the cavity and properly restore the tooth to a healthy state and function. After anesthetizing, an electro-surgery unit is used to remove the gum tissue and gain access to the cavity, figure 2. Once the tissue is removed, you can view the full extent of the cavity and completely remove the cavity with a high-speed hand piece - a dental drill- as demonstrated in figure 3. A desensitizer paste is placed to diminish sensitivity to hot/cold temperatures, figure 4.The tooth is restored with a resin composite material, a same color tooth filling, and light cured, figure 5. The tooth is restored back to its proper color and contour, figure 6.

Two weeks after the procedure, the tooth and the gums around it have healed, figure 7. Even though the patient delayed treating the cavity in its early stage, a root canal was avoided by performing a simple gingivectomy dental procedure.