What Options Do You Have With a Diseased Tooth?

Posted by Amitava Sarkar on May 5th, 2016

Having a diseased tooth is no fun at all. Not only does it compromise your smile, it can also cause a great deal of pain and discomfort. When your tooth’s health is compromised, it is essential to seek out the assistance of a professional dentist in order to help you rectify the situation, improve your smile, and alleviate the pain you’ve been experiencing thus far.

Research has shown that many types of treatments are highly successful, some more than others. The fact is, there are plenty of treatment options available to you when it comes to dealing with your diseased tooth. Discussing your options with your dentist is the first step to identifying which path you should take to handle your specific case. An in-depth discussion with your dentist will help him or her determine what the best course of action is to provide you with the best possible outcome.

At the end of the day, the treatment decision you make should be based on a technique and strategy that you’ve discussed with your dentist, endodontist, or any other relevant specialist, and that you agree is ideal for your health overall.

If you are wondering what your options are as far as treating your diseased tooth is concerned, consider the following.

Treatment Options for Diseased Teeth

There are many treatment options that may be recommended to you to deal with your diseased tooth, including root canals, retreatment, or endodontic surgery. However, when a tooth can’t be saved, you may need to resort to extracting the tooth altogether and replacing it with a life-like prosthetic tooth. It’s important to speak with an endodontist regarding all your options to save your natural tooth prior to deciding to have it removed.

If you do end up having to extract your tooth, there are ways to ensure that your smile is kept intact.

Dental Implants

Implants are innovative ways to replace missing teeth. These prosthetics are essentially artificial teeth roots that are placed into the jaw in order to hold a replacement tooth in place. The dental implant takes the shape of the root and is typically constructed using titanium and other durable materials that are suitable for the human body.

Dental implants are surgically placed into the jaw, and over time, they incorporate into the bone. This creates a stable base for the crowns. This technique has been successfully used for many years as a suitable and effective means of replacing diseased teeth that have been extracted with a realistic-looking human tooth. This strategy is suitable for the replacement of one tooth, as well as multiple missing teeth.

What is the Dental Implant Process Like?

How the implants are specifically placed will depend on the individual, as well as the exact type of tooth that is being replaced. Certain implants can be replaced in as little as one day, but the majority of implants will require at least two or three phases.

The initial step is to place the implant into the jaw, and the gum is then secured over it. Over time - typically a few months - the jaw bone and implant will fuse together. After this has occurred, the dental specialist can attach an attachment - or abutment - to the implant. Sometimes the implant and abutment will be one single unit, while other times another surgical procedure will be necessary to attach the abutment to the replaced teeth.

After the gums have healed fully, the abutment will then be the foundation for the implanted tooth. The last phase of the process involves creating a new tooth - or crown - that is of the same size, shape and color as the natural teeth, after which it is then attached to the implant post.

Dental implants make an excellent choice when it comes to replacing a natural tooth. Prior to opting for dental implants, it is important that the patient is in good oral health, has healthy gums, and has enough bone in the jaw to support the implant. Any illnesses, such as cancer or diabetes, may not allow proper healing following surgery, and can interfere with successful placements of an implant.

The benefits of dental implants are vast, and can include:

*  Creating a natural-looking appearance

*  Not disturbing adjacent teeth

*  Long-lasting and durable

This procedure is conducted by any dentist who is formally trained in endodontic treatment and dental implants. While general dentists can conduct these procedures, patients are typically referred to endodontists to be evaluated and treated.

What Other Options Are Available?

If it comes down to having to extract your diseased tooth, you may also consider other procedures and techniques, including a bridge or a removable partial denture. The only problem with these alternatives is that they often disturb neighboring healthy teeth, and should be discussed in detail with your dental specialist.

Author Bio: Breanna Pleat had a diseased tooth that was causing her great pain, but after consulting with the team at Park Slope Dentistry, she was recommended a specific treatment option to successfully deal with her situation. Now, Jenna is pain-free and more confident in her smile than ever before!