While it is rare, there are situations where a tooth is too severely compromised for Steven Wolfson, DDS in Houston, Texas to treat it with a root canal. This could be due to a severely decayed and untreated tooth or a case of severe dental trauma.
If the root or underlying socket structure are too compromised for endodontic treatment, we might advocate a total extraction. This might also include a course of prescription antibiotics or pain management medication. Once everything has healed and any infection concerns have passed, we can restore the tooth’s presence in your mouth with a bridge.
A bridge is a modest-sized piece of dental work that mimics the appearance of a natural tooth that has been fused to a pair of crowns. Each end of the permanent bridge will be cemented onto abutments formed out of the core of the two neighboring teeth.
Creating each abutment calls for Dr. Steven Wolfson to use a drill to remove the enamel layer from each tooth. This creates a small protective sheath housing the healthy pulp, root, and nerve of each tooth. Temporary crowns are then secured over each abutment to protect it.
Dr. Steven Wolfson will then prepare a detailed impression of the abutments and the other teeth related in your bite. Normally your impressions would be sent to an off-site dental lab. However, because our practice has its own in-office dental laboratory, we can complete your restorative treatments in the same visit or the next day.
If you have lost a tooth to untreated decay, and you live in the Houston, Texas area, we invite you to call 713-789-1225 to have it treated and restored at the dental office of Steven Wolfson, DDS. We look forward to restoring your healthy, confident smile!