As you probably already know, if you notice the signs of a dental infection on your smile, it is very important that you seek treatment in a timely manner. The state of your cavity when you come in for treatment will make a big difference in terms of what treatment we use to restore your smile.
For example, if you have a small cavity, which has just started to form and does not yet cover very much surface area on your tooth, our team can easily address this issue. We’ll remove the small area of infection and clean your tooth to minimize the risk of re-infection. Then, in order to restore your tooth so that it is functional and protected, we’ll place a dental filling made from dental resin. Once we cure this resin, it will be durable and bonded to your natural tooth structure.
So what happens if the infection has spread through more of your tooth? In cases where we need to remove a lot of dental enamel or dentin, we may recommend a dental crown to restore your tooth post-treatment. A dental crown is a restoration that is made to look like the missing portion of the relevant tooth. Once this crown is crafted and secured in place, you’ll be able to jump back into your normal routine.
There is also a specific treatment protocol for situations in which a patient’s tooth is severely infected. Root canal therapy can be a tooth-saver when oral bacteria have burrowed their way into the inner dental pulp and core of the tooth. During this treatment our team opens up an access hole in the tooth, and then clears away the inner dental tissues, nerves, and roots. After you tooth is completely cleared out, we’ll use either a filling or a crown to restore your tooth, depending on how much of the surface of the tooth was infected.
The good news is that no matter what the current state of your smile, we have the restorative treatments that you need in order to reclaim a strong and stable smile. As always, feel free to contact our Elmhurst dentists if you want more information and support!