5 Alternatives to Root Canal Treatment
Gone are the days when you had to lose a tooth due to cavities or periodontal diseases. The workload of the teeth is more than most of the other organs of the human body. Apart from increasing the aesthetic value and helping in chewing food, teeth help to speak distinctly. Modern dentistry provides various options to retain and restore a cavitied or worn-out tooth.
Root Canal Treatment
One might sound like an oxymoron to expect painless root canal treatment, but modern dentistry and recent techniques have made painless dental treatment a reality for patients. Root canal treatment takes several visits to the dentist and is done in sequential steps. The first step involves the removal of the infected pulp to eliminate further infections. Dentists in Westwood are experienced in performing root canal treatment.
Root canal treatment is a restorative form of protecting the infected or impacted tooth rather than removing it as a whole. A dentist near you might perform an x-ray of the affected tooth and perform a comprehensive examination.
The hygienist or dentist then cleans the impacted tooth thoroughly to get rid of debris or infections. Once the cavity is clean, the dentist fills the hollow space with gutta-percha and seals the hole to prevent further hazards. The dentist can administer a temporary dental filling until the permanent crown is available.
Root canal treatment is painless and is minimally invasive. Many patients fear that root canal treatment is painful, but you can recover quicker than most other invasive dental treatments.
Why Opt for Alternatives to Root Canal Treatment?
Modern dentistry is advancing continually, and patients would opt for less invasive or non-invasive dental treatments. Root canal treatments can compromise the delicate nerves lined under the teeth. Root canal treatment can weaken the impacted tooth. Drilling through the tooth might be necessary to get rid of the infected debris, but it can affect the pulp.
Moreover, root canal treatment cannot assure the complete removal of the infections. Drilling makes the teeth hollow and more prone to chipping. Another aftereffect of root canal treatment is discoloring or darkening of teeth. Unsuccessful root canal treatments can require further endodontic surgeries.
Alternatives to Root Canal Treatment
An untreated cavity or infection might affect the whole dental cavity. The pulp chamber contains delicate tissues, blood vessels, and nerve endings. Modern dentistry offers alternative non-invasive or less invasive treatments that can provide impressive results.
#1: Extraction
Although extracting the impacted tooth might sound uncanny, but often extracting the cavitied tooth is the better option. The cavitied tooth can be removed, debris is cleaned, and the dentist can administer dental prostheses as dental implants or bridges. Extraction also nullifies further chances of infection.
#2: Natural Remedies
Protecting an impacted tooth can be achieved through the correct choice of foods. Natural remedies can protect and heal dental infections through diet. Eliminating all forms of sugar from the diet and including high-quality protein can keep dental infections at bay. Embracing a healthier lifestyle and incorporating fresh fruits and vegetables in the diet to halt further periodontal infections. Avoiding grains and hard food can help to prevent the cracking of teeth.
#3: Ozone Gas
Ozone gas can penetrate the tubules of teeth beyond the reach of drills. Ozone gas can irrigate the root cavity and kills the bacterias. Once the bacterias are eliminated, the chances of saving the teeth increase, thus averting root canal treatment.
#4: Calcium Hydroxide
A solution of calcium hydroxide can irrigate the root canals and can deter bacterial growth in the gums. Calcium hydroxide is alkaline and can dissolve any remaining parts of the dead tissues and bacterias. Calcium hydroxide must be administered in the correct amount through a needle in the gums to prevent damage due to its toxicity.
#5: Direct Pulp Capping
Direct pulp capping is performed when any part of pulp remains after removal by rotary instruments. A paste of calcium hydroxide is applied to eliminate any remaining portion of dentin and is sealed to see the formation of growth of secondary dentin after 30 days.
Bottom Line
The alternatives of root canal treatment are safe. Starry Dental can be the root canal dentist near you in Westwood. You may book an appointment and avail yourself of state-of-art technology and compassionate care along with world-class dental care.