From Cavities to Crowns
Dental procedures can range from simple cleanings to complex surgeries, and it’s important to understand the various options available to maintain and improve the health of your teeth and mouth. In this article, we’ll go over some common dental procedures, including fillings, root canals, and crowns, and provide an overview of what to expect during each treatment. At Austin Dental Care, we provide top-quality dental services to help our patients maintain and improve their oral health.
First, let’s start with fillings. A filling is a dental procedure used to repair a tooth that has been damaged by decay. If you have a cavity, your dentist will remove the decayed part of the tooth and fill in the space with a material such as composite resin, gold, or amalgam (a mixture of mercury, silver, and other metals). The type of filling your dentist recommends will depend on the location of the filling, the extent of the damage, and your personal preference.
The process for getting a filling is usually quick and straightforward. First, your dentist will numb the area around the tooth with a local anesthetic to minimize any discomfort. Next, they’ll use a drill or laser to remove the decayed part of the tooth. Once the decay has been removed, your dentist will clean the area and fill the hole with the chosen filling material. The filling material is then shaped and polished to match the contours of your tooth, completing the procedure.
While fillings can be effective at repairing small areas of tooth decay, they may not be sufficient for more extensive damage. In these cases, a root canal procedure may be necessary.
A root canal is a dental procedure that involves removing infected or damaged tissue from inside a tooth. The procedure is usually recommended when the pulp (the soft tissue inside a tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels) becomes infected or damaged, often as a result of untreated tooth decay or trauma to the tooth.
The root canal procedure is typically performed by an endodontist (a dentist who specializes in treating problems with the pulp and nerves of teeth) and typically involves the following steps:
- Anesthesia: The endodontist will numb the area around the tooth with a local anesthetic to minimize any discomfort.
- Opening the tooth: The endodontist will make an opening in the top of the tooth to access the pulp chamber and root canals.
- Removing the infected tissue: The endodontist will use special instruments to remove the infected or damaged tissue from the pulp chamber and root canals.
- Cleaning and shaping the root canals: The endodontist will use tiny instruments to clean and shape the root canals to prepare them for filling.
- Filling the root canals: The endodontist will fill the root canals with a material called gutta-percha, which helps seal and protect the canals.
- Closing the tooth: The endodontist will place a filling or crown (a cap that covers the top of the tooth) over the opening in the tooth to protect it.
The root canal procedure can usually be completed in one or two visits, depending on the complexity of the case. After the procedure, your endodontist will likely recommend a follow-up visit to ensure that the tooth is healing properly.
Another common dental procedure is the placement of a crown. A crown is a cap that is placed over a damaged or decayed tooth to protect and strengthen it. Crowns can be made of a variety of materials, including porcelain, ceramic, or metal.