Even the most serious dental infections and cavities can be effectively treated with help from our Glendale dentists. Today we will be reviewing some techniques and technologies that we use to eliminate infections and restore diminished smiles.
So, to quickly review, a dental cavity occurs when oral bacteria are able to infiltrate the dental structure. Many cavities begin in the dental enamel, which is the outermost layer of the tooth. Over time, bacteria will move through the enamel to the second layer of the tooth, the dentin. Finally, an infection can spread all of the way into the inner core of the tooth—where the dental pulp and nerves reside; this is a severe cavity.
The goal of any cavity treatment is to eliminate the infection, and then restore the tooth, both aesthetically and functionally.
When an infection is contained to the dental enamel and the dentin our team will buff or drill away the infected material. If the resulting hole in your tooth is fairly small, we may be able to restore the tooth with a simple filling. If we had to eliminate a large portion of the surface of your tooth, we may use a custom crown to rebuild the missing portion.
When a cavity has made it to the core of the tooth, we will likely recommend root canal therapy. During this treatment, our dentist lowers a series of files into the core of the tooth, through the tooth roots. The files that we use become progressively larger; this allows our team to clear away as much dental material as possible—including all of the roots and nerves. After clearing away all of the damaged material, we fill the remaining tooth structure with a substance called gutta percha. Finally, we restore the outer tooth with a filling or crown.
If you think that you may be dealing with a dental infection—either newly developed or severe—our Glendale dentists can help you regain a healthy and whole smile. Give us a call to get started!