Healthy and attractive teeth add to a person’s confidence. They know when they meet someone that their smile is an asset and not a liability. So when something goes wrong and they feel a stabbing pain in their jaw, they quickly go to their Dentist in West Covina to get it corrected. Often they find out that there is a serious infection in the root portion of their tooth. If the root has cracked, then the tooth needs to be extracted. However, if the root is intact, then the dentist performs a root canal.
A root canal is the procedure the dentist uses to clean out the infected root. Long and thin needles are used to take the infection out of the root. The dentist then inserts a tapered medicated filling into the root. It’s a temporary filling that will give the area time to heal. If there is any swelling, it will have time to go down. The patient will have a second appointment in about 10 days. If the infection has completely healed, the dentist inserts a permanent filling in the root.
Usually the upper portion of the tooth experienced a lot of decay as well. When this is combined with the root canal procedure, much of the upper tooth is destroyed. The Dentist in West Covina has to cover it with a porcelain crown to stabilize it and protect it from future problems. After the permanent filling has been put in the root, the dentist takes an impression of the tooth. This is sent to a dental laboratory where the porcelain crown is made. The patient returns to the dentist office to have it cemented on to the tooth. The result is so natural that most people will never guess that it’s not the original tooth.
Even if the tooth has to be extracted because of a cracked root, a dental implant can be used to anchor a porcelain crown. Therefore in either case the patient will regain their healthy smile. Porcelain crowns are good for 20 to 30 years. The patient cares for them in the same manner they would any natural tooth. Click Here for more information on root canals, crowns and implants.
