In our previous article, we discussed some of the most common reasons why cavities are a still a common concern for so many people. In a nutshell, it’s because the tooth decay that causes it stems from the bacteria that naturally inhabit your mouth. These same bacteria are also the reason why, in some cases, tooth decay can be a lot more serious than just dealing with a mild to moderate cavity. At our Grand Prairie, TX, dental office, we can also help you treat more severe tooth decay conservatively thanks to the help of modern root canal treatment.
When a common cavity gets worse
Treating common cavities is often simple with a tooth-colored filling because the decay responsible for it only affects the main portion of your tooth’s crown. Known as the dentin, this is a substantial part of your tooth, and it can typically take the cleaning and filling procedure while still remaining strong and otherwise healthy. However, the infection in your tooth that oral bacteria cause can grow progressively worse faster than you might realize. If you hesitate to treat a cavity, or fail to recognize it in time, then the decay can reach the inner chamber of your tooth’s root structure, which is the part of the tooth that extends in your jawbone.
A look at your tooth’s root structure
A tooth’s root serves several important functions, but because it isn’t visible, it can be easy to forget about how important it is to your tooth and oral health. In addition to supporting and stabilizing your tooth, which is necessary for your bite to function properly, the root’s inner chamber is also the path through which your jawbone feeds a tooth the minerals and nutrients it needs. It connects to the pulp chamber at the center of your tooth’s structure, which houses the bulk of the tooth’s nerves and blood vessels. In cases of severe tooth decay, the bacterial infection in your tooth’s dentin can reach this chamber, risking the tissues within it and the root canal through which they travel.
How root canal therapy is performed
Given the much more invasive nature of severe tooth decay, treating it requires a more involved procedure than a simple tooth filling. Your dentist will have to remove the infected tissues and oral bacteria from within the tooth’s pulp and root canal, which will require carefully accessing these inner chambers to properly clean them. Restoring your tooth might also involve placing a custom-designed dental crown over the tooth after root canal therapy has been performed.
Save your tooth with root canal therapy
When a tooth suffers from severe, internal decay, you may still be able to save it with conservative root canal treatment. To learn more about how treating your root canals can save your tooth, schedule an appointment with Dr. Smith and our team by calling Pecan Tree Dental in Grand Prairie, TX, today at (972) 262-5111.
