Even a small cavity can pose a serious threat to your oral health. When an area of tooth decay goes unrepaired for long enough, the bacteria that compromised the tooth enamel can quickly spread deep into the tooth. If the decay penetrates deep enough to affect the pulp or root of the tooth, Dr. Stephen T. McInerney might need to resort to endodontic therapy.
More commonly known as a root canal, the treatment involves excising all infected material from the tooth before more serious complications arise.
Once Dr. Stephen T. McInerney has sufficiently numbed the area, he will use a drill to remove the decayed enamel and extract any infected material. The missing internal structures of the tooth will then be rebuilt using a rubbery, yet firm material called gutta percha.
This creates a post-like structure known as an abutment. In time, this will be used as the anchor point for a crown.
Dr. Stephen T. McInerney will create a detailed impression of the abutment and all other surrounding teeth. Then a hard plastic temporary crown will be cemented over the abutment to protect the gutta percha.
The impression is mailed off to a state of the art dental lab, where your permanent crown is made. The material used for the crown will be determined by the tooth’s location in your mouth and how visible it is in your smile.
In a brief second appointment, Dr. Stephen T. McInerney will remove the temporary crown and install the permanent crown in place.
If you have a badly decayed tooth, you should not delay in contacting Dr. Stephen T. McInerney’s Bingham Farms, Michigan office at 248-540-9191 for treatment.