Oksu-dong Dental Clinic: Preserving Natural Teeth with Cavity and Root Canal Treatment

Oksu-dong Dental Clinic: Preserving Natural Teeth with Cavity and Root Canal Treatment

Including the four wisdom teeth, we have a total of 32 permanent teeth. Did you know that while 20 of these teeth (excluding wisdom teeth) erupt and fall out between the ages of 6 and 14, only to be replaced by permanent teeth, 8 of them emerge as permanent teeth from the start, not as primary (baby) teeth?

The 8 teeth that emerge as permanent teeth from the beginning are molars. Once these 8 teeth are lost, no new teeth will grow in their place, meaning they must last a lifetime. The same applies to the 20 teeth that replace primary teeth. Once they emerge as permanent teeth, they will not be replaced if lost, so they must be used for the rest of one's life.

Therefore, we need to maintain lifelong oral hygiene to prevent our permanent teeth from being damaged by oral diseases like cavities or gum disease, or by fractures caused by strong forces.

However, no matter how diligently we brush our teeth, cavities are an oral disease with at least a 1% chance of occurring as long as we consume food. Therefore, in addition to maintaining good oral health to prevent cavities, it is also crucial to seek prompt cavity treatment or root canal therapy at Oksu-dong Dental Clinic to protect natural teeth and prevent oral diseases like cavities from worsening.

Cavities refer to the decay of teeth caused by acid, which is produced when food debris we consume combines with hundreds of types of bacteria present in the mouth. Teeth are composed of enamel, dentin, and the dental nerve (pulp), and the stage of a cavity is determined by how far it has invaded.

The outermost layer of the tooth, the white part we see with our eyes, is the enamel. When a cavity forms in the enamel, it's considered stage 1, an early stage of decay. At this point, there are often no specific symptoms to suspect a cavity, so many people are unaware that one has developed.

Stage 2 is when the cavity has invaded the dentin, which is located directly beneath the enamel. From this stage, symptoms such as tooth pain, sensitivity, or a tingling sensation due to the cavity may appear, primarily when eating.

Stage 3 is when the cavity has invaded the dental nerve. From this stage, even without eating, severe tooth pain, sensitivity, or tingling may be felt, making it difficult to bear and affecting daily life.

Fortunately, cavities in stages 1-2, which affect the enamel or dentin, can be treated at Oksu-dong Dental Clinic with relatively simple methods such as resin fillings, inlays, or onlays. However, if the cavity has progressed beyond these stages and reached the pulp, root canal treatment, not just cavity treatment, must be performed at Oksu-dong Dental Clinic.

Root canal treatment at Oksu-dong Dental Clinic is performed using the MTA root canal method. This treatment involves removing the pulp contaminated by the cavity and filling the empty space with a restorative material. As it involves removing the tooth nerve, it is a much more complex procedure than stage 1-2 treatments and typically requires about 3-5 visits.

Moreover, when a cavity has progressed to stage 3, there is often not much natural tooth structure left, and the tooth is already significantly weakened. Therefore, after root canal treatment, a crown restoration must be performed to preserve the remaining natural tooth and prevent further damage during chewing.

Fortunately, if natural teeth can be preserved and saved through root canal treatment at Oksu-dong Dental Clinic, that is good. However, if it progresses beyond stage 3 to stage 4 (pulp necrosis), there is often little tooth structure left to save after cavity removal, and severe periodontal disease frequently accompanies it. In such unfortunate cases, the cavity-damaged tooth must be extracted, and implant treatment is necessary.

In other words, root canal treatment is the last step to save a natural tooth, so it is crucial not to miss this timing.

At Oksu-dong Dental Clinic, we help save natural teeth through stage-by-stage cavity treatment. All cavity treatments, root canal consultations, treatment processes, and subsequent aftercare are conducted based on 1:1 responsible care by our chief dentist, who is certified as a specialist in integrated dentistry by the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

However, even for cavities, the location and progression vary for each patient. Therefore, Oksu-dong Dental Clinic provides personalized 1:1 cavity or root canal treatment tailored to each patient's oral condition, based on data obtained after a thorough examination using a 3D CT, a precise diagnostic device, rather than a standardized approach.

At Oksu-dong Dental Clinic, for patients who delay dental treatment due to fear of pain, we apply a pain-free anesthesia system using a digital anesthetic device to alleviate their fears. We also provide thorough aftercare to ensure good prognosis after treatment.

At Barunyoung Dental Clinic in Oksu-dong, we prioritize dental care without overtreatment in all procedures. We take the time to provide sufficient, easy-to-understand explanations to patients before proceeding with treatment, and we operate on the principle that the foundation of dental care is preserving natural teeth.

Sometimes, patients visit Oksu-dong Dental Clinic for cavities, and when we tell them that the cavity has progressed significantly and requires root canal treatment, they ask if the tooth can just be extracted. Of course, if the cavity has progressed to a stage where the natural tooth can no longer be saved, and maintaining it would adversely affect the remaining natural teeth, we recommend extraction.

However, extracting a tooth when it could be sufficiently saved and preserved through root canal treatment at Oksu-dong Dental Clinic is not a good approach. Each tooth performs its own role while maintaining overall balance. If even one tooth is missing, other problems are bound to arise.

Most importantly, no artificial tooth in the world can fully replicate the function of a natural tooth. Therefore, if there is any way to preserve your natural teeth for longer, it is always more advantageous to use that treatment to keep your natural teeth for as long as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do cavities form?

Cavities are caused by the decay of teeth due to acid produced when food debris and oral bacteria combine. Even with diligent brushing, there's at least a 1% chance of cavities forming when consuming food.

What are the symptoms and treatments for each stage of a cavity?

Cavities are divided into stages based on their invasion of enamel, dentin, and the dental nerve. In the enamel/dentin stages (Stages 1-2), pain is minimal or occurs during eating, and treatment involves resin, inlays, etc. In the dental nerve invasion stage (Stage 3), severe pain occurs, requiring root canal treatment.

When is root canal treatment necessary?

Root canal treatment is necessary from Stage 3, when a cavity has invaded the dental nerve (pulp) and causes severe pain. This is the last stage to save a natural tooth, so it's crucial not to miss this timing.

How many visits are required for root canal treatment?

Root canal treatment involves removing the pulp contaminated by the cavity and filling the empty space, typically requiring about 3-5 visits. After treatment, a crown restoration must be performed to protect the weakened tooth.

What is the important reason for preserving natural teeth?

Natural teeth perform their individual roles while maintaining overall oral balance. No artificial tooth in the world can perfectly replicate the function of a natural tooth, so it is most advantageous to preserve and use natural teeth for as long as possible.

I am worried about pain during dental treatment.

At Oksu-dong Dental Clinic, we use a digital pain-free anesthetic device to alleviate patients' fear of pain. This helps patients receive treatment comfortably.