The root of your tooth holds the crown (top portion) above your gum line steady. The root is anchored in a socket within your jawbone, and it carries the nerves and blood vessels from the tooth’s pulp chamber to your jawbone. The inner canal of the root provides a pathway for your jawbone to feed your tooth essential minerals and nutrients.
In mild to moderate cases of tooth decay, the cavity that the decay leaves in your tooth can often be cleaned and filled with a tooth filling. However, a filling is only designed to restore the main structure of your tooth’s crown, known as dentin. Once decay reaches the pulp chamber at the center of your tooth’s dentin, a filling will not suffice to treat the tooth’s internal infection.
Tooth decay is progressive. Even when it becomes severe enough to threaten your root canal, it will continue to grow worse until treated. If your tooth’s pulp and root canal are already compromised by infection, then hesitation will allow the infection to spread into the jawbone and oral tissues surrounding it. In such cases, your tooth may need to be extracted and you may need oral surgery to fully restore your oral health.
If your tooth is decayed enough to require root canal treatment, than treating the tooth as soon as possible could be vital to saving your tooth. To learn more, schedule a consultation with your dentist by calling Dr. Newman’s office today at 520-296-5439. We’re conveniently located inside the Grant Road Professional Plaza in Tucson, AZ, and proudly welcome the residents of all surrounding communities.
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