Saving Your Smile – Fillings, Deep Cleans, and Root Canals

Restorative Dentistry: Simple Steps to Keep Your Natural Teeth

When a tooth is hurt by decay or infection, our priority is always to save it. These common restorative procedures are designed to get your tooth back to feeling strong and healthy with minimal fuss.

Fillings and Restorations: Repairing the Surface

• Basic Fillings: If decay creates a small hole (a cavity), we gently remove the damaged part and fill the space with a durable material. This stops the decay from spreading and restores the tooth’s natural function.

  
  

• Inlays / Onlays – When More is Needed: If the cavity is too big for a simple filling but not big enough for a full crown, we use inlays or onlays. These are custom restorations made in a lab to fit perfectly into the tooth’s chewing surface, providing a stronger, more lasting repair than a large filling.

Root Planning: A Deeper Clean for Healthy Gums

If your gums are inflamed and we find deep pockets, you might need poot planning (a deep scale). This goes beyond a regular cleaning by carefully smoothing the root surfaces below the gum line. This step removes built-up bacteria and tartar, allowing the gum tissue to heal and reattach firmly to the root. It’s a comfortable, necessary step to keep your teeth safely anchored.

Root Canal Treatment (RCT): Relief from Pain

The root canal treatment (RCT) is the solution for a severely infected tooth nerve. The procedure gets a bad reputation, but the truth is, it removes the source of the terrible pain you were feeling! We gently remove the damaged nerve tissue, clean the inside of the tooth, and seal it to prevent future infection. It’s a predictable way to save your natural tooth from extraction. We often recommend a crown afterward, as it protects the tooth from cracking and gives it strength for the long term.

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FAQs

Does an X-ray always mean I have a problem?

Not at all! X-rays are a diagnostic tool used to establish a baseline of bone and root health and often confirm that areas we can't see are perfectly healthy

Is scaling and polishing painful?

Most people feel only light pressure. If you have any sensitivity, please let us know! We can use a numbing agent to ensure you are completely comfortable.