Teeth are tough, but they are not invincible and can become damaged due to trauma or disease, or in the worst case, can die. Healthy teeth in Ajax have three separate layers: the outer coating of enamel, the toughest substances in the human body, and an inner layer of dentin which surrounds the dental pulp right at the centre. The dental pulp contains blood vessels, connective tissues and nerves, and it helps to keep a tooth healthy. When a tooth dies, it means the tissues inside the dental pulp have died, which can occur if these tissues are damaged, infected or inflamed in some way and if a tooth no longer receives blood via the blood vessels in the dental pulp.
What Are the Signs That a Tooth Has Died?
Several symptoms may mean a tooth in Whitby has died, but it’s often impossible to tell if a tooth is living or dead just by looking at it. The only way to tell for sure is for a dentist in Pickering to examine the tooth. Symptoms that can indicate a tooth is dead or dying include tooth pain. A severe toothache frequently means the tooth nerve has become infected and inflamed. The tooth in question may become increasingly sensitive to hot or cold foods and drinks. However, a toothache isn’t always present or can disappear if the tooth nerve finally dies.
A dead tooth can become discoloured, so you may notice it looks darker than before, and the discolouration can be grey, black, yellow or brown. Over time the discolouration can worsen without dental care in Oshawa. Other symptoms include a bad taste and bad breath. The gum around the affected tooth can become swollen.
What to Do If You Think You Have a Dead or Dying Tooth?
If you are concerned about the health of your teeth or have a toothache, make an appointment to come and see us here at Durham Dental Solutions as soon as possible. We can gently examine the tooth, take dental x-rays to see if the tooth is damaged or infected, and identify the right way to treat it.
What Are the Treatment Options for a Dead or Dying Tooth?
The two treatments are to try and save the tooth using root canal therapy in Newcastle or to extract the tooth. Ideally, we will try to save the tooth rather than remove it. Root canal therapy is an intricate treatment that removes the dental pulp in the centre of the tooth and pulp tissue extending into the tooth roots or root canals. The process removes all the infected tissues, thoroughly cleaning the inside of the tooth. Once the infection is eliminated, we can seal the tooth permanently to prevent further infection. The tooth must often be covered with a dental crown to protect it since it has probably lost much of its original structure.
Extracting and Replacing a Dead Tooth with a Dental Implant
If the tooth is beyond saving, we can remove it gently and may suggest replacing it with a dental implant in Clarington as soon as possible. Sometimes a dead tooth can be removed and immediately replaced with an implant. This depends on the extent of the infection and whether the bone around the tooth is also damaged.
A dental implant is by far the best and most modern way to restore a missing tooth in Courtice, and with the right care, the implant tooth can last for years or life. Although losing a natural tooth is never ideal, a dental implant tooth is the next best thing to having your own tooth restored.
