When your tooth develops an infection, or decay, in its main structure, the most appropriate treatment for it is often to clean out the cavity and fill it with biocompatible material. This can stop the infection from progressing while also restoring the tooth’s overall health and integrity. However, more severe cases of tooth decay involve the infection of more than just your tooth’s main structure. When the decay reaches the inner pulp chamber and root canal of the tooth, endodontic treatment may be the more appropriate solution for saving the tooth.
When endodontic (or root canal) treatment matters
Endodontic treatment is more commonly known as root canal treatment because it involves cleaning out and fortifying the root canal of your tooth, as well as the main pulp chamber. The process of clearing an infection from the inner structures of your tooth is more complex than a milder tooth filling procedure. Yet, the goal is the same – to remove all traces of infection from your tooth and restore it by replacing the lost tooth structure and protecting what remains. Out of necessity, however, root canal treatment is a much more involved process.
The threat of an internal infection in your tooth
When decay starts to erode your main tooth structure, or dentin, the discomfort in your tooth can become severe. This can prompt most patients to seek treatment for their tooth decay early, while a tooth filling is still a viable solution for addressing it. When tooth decay reaches the inner chambers of your tooth, it isn’t just the main tooth structure that’s affected by it. The tooth’s nerves, blood vessels, and other soft tissues are housed within this chamber, and they run through your tooth’s root canal to connect the pulp with your jawbone structure.
How prompt endodontic treatment saves your smile
Treating tooth decay as early as possible is the best way to avoid the more severe consequences of it, including the need for endodontic treatment. However, if your tooth does become internally infected, then seeking root canal treatment as soon as possible can be imperative to saving your tooth and avoiding its loss. In extreme cases, the decay can erode too much of your tooth structure to restore, and extracting the tooth can be a last resort in preventing the infection from impacting the rest of your oral health.
Learn about the importance of treating tooth infection
Endodontic treatment could be the key to saving your tooth, and oral health, from the consequence of a severe, internal tooth infection. To learn more about treating it early, schedule a consultation by calling Modern Smile in North Hollywood, CA, today at 818-763-9353. We also proudly serve patients who live in Burbank, Toluca Lake, and all surrounding communities.