Since teeth don’t grow and the enamel is not made of living cells, it’s easy to forget that teeth are alive. We are reminded of this when we have a toothache, or sudden sensitivity to hot or cold food. Like other organs, teeth need a blood supply to stay alive and healthy. At Marcos Ortega DDS in Hillcrest San Diego, our job is helping you keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Veins, arteries, lymph vessels and nerves live below the enamel and dentin in the pulp of the tooth. When the blood flow is cut off, the tooth will eventual die. What can cause blood flow issues? Injury, trauma, infection, large fillings, and multiple restorations can impact a tooth’s blood supply.
We can complete root canal therapy to save a dead tooth if required. During a root canal procedure (or endodontic treatment) the soft tissue in the root of the tooth is removed. Once the roots are cleaned out and widened, they are filled with a special rubber material. The root canal is only the first step in the complete tooth restoration. The final steps are the core build up and crown.
After a successful root canal the tooth can last many years, but not always. Inadequate oral hygiene, decay, periodontal disease, an undetected crack, abscess, or degradation of root canal sealing materials can all cause a root canal to fail.
If you have any tenderness or pain, hot or cold sensitivity, tooth discoloration, injury, or other painful issues, talk to us about it right away. Keep in mind that sometimes there are no noticeable symptoms. That is why it is important to visit us for regular checkups.
At Marcos Ortega DDS in Hillcrest San Diego we are committed to maintaining the dental health of all our patients. We have done root canal therapy on patients from Hillcrest, Mission Hills, and Bankers Hill, who also come to us for complete general dentistry services. Call for an appointment today!
Contact Marcos Ortega DDS:
619-295-4545
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
306 Walnut Ave Ste 25
San Diego, California
92103