At OG Dental, Dr. O’Grady and our friendly team of experts want to help our patients achieve optimal dental health. If you’ve run into oral health issues, we have compassionate solutions that will get your smile back on track! Whether you have decayed, infected, or missing teeth, we have restorative dentistry options that will work for you. Call us today to discuss your needs with our knowledgeable team!
An infection happens when the strong, outer layers (enamel and dentin) of your tooth become damaged. The enamel and dentin protect the vulnerable, interior root “pulp” that is full of blood vessels and nerves, which support the health and strength of your tooth. If a cavity weakens the outer layers of your tooth, oral bacteria can enter and cause an infection. Untreated cavities are the most common cause of an infection.
Another common cause is a crack or chip in your tooth, which also causes damage to the enamel and dentin, exposing the pulp. The symptoms of a tooth infection vary based on the extent of the damage but usually include:
A root canal is the only way to save an infected tooth. This procedure is used to clean out the interior of the tooth, then fills it with an inert material, and caps it with a filling or crown to protect the remaining tooth structure.
If a damaged tooth is left untreated, the interior pulp will not able to fight back against a serious infection and the bacteria will continue attacking the pulp until the tissue has been completely destroyed. Once this happens, you’ll have what’s referred to as a “dead tooth.” Dead teeth have no blood flow or nerves remaining and they usually become discolored, appearing yellow or grayish.
Eventually, a dead tooth will fall out of your mouth. However, it’s a bad idea to wait for this to happen. The bacteria and dead tissue remaining in your tooth can cause an abscess (an infection of your gum that can cause serious pain).
To treat a dead tooth, we recommend extraction and a dental restoration as a replacement, such as a partial denture, a dental bridge, or a dental implant.
As part of our commitment to beautiful smiles and quality care, OG Dental offers composite fillings as solutions for cavities that will look natural. We will never fill a cavity with unsightly metal because we want you to be confident with your smile and with the dental care we provide. If you have a cavity, call the team at OG Dental to schedule an appointment for this routine treatment to protect your smile.
Dental crowns are most commonly used to protect a weak tooth. For instance, you may need a crown after a root canal, or to cover a broken tooth to keep it from getting damaged further. Crowns are also used to cover teeth with large fillings. Give us a call today to discuss your needs and go over your restorative options with Dr. O’Grady.
At OG Dental, Dr. O’Grady will always try to save damaged teeth with other methods, but if your tooth must be extracted, we offer compassionate, judgment-free care. Damaged, painful teeth can be extracted gently using localized anesthetic, and we have to replace your tooth once your gum line has healed. Call us now or visit our office to discuss removing a damaged or decaying tooth.
If you are missing one or multiple teeth, Dr. O’Grady can give you your smile back by replacing them with dental implants that look and feel natural. A tooth that has fallen out due to decay or has been knocked out in an injury can lead to other health issues, and it can also diminish your self-confidence. Give us a call today to learn more about how we can help restore your health and give you a proud smile again with dental implants!
