Stabilising Potential Toothache

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Stabilising potential toothache

By Suyash.dwivedi - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=40104921

Our aim is to stabilise the spread of disease and prevent toothache. 

Options:

1. High Fluoride toothpaste (behind the counter)

This will increase the amount of available mineral and if used correctly, will slow down disease spread and buy us some time.

2. Silver Fluoride Treatment 

Great for if you have multiple holes in your teeth that cant be addressed straight away - silver fluoride treatment is quick, painless and arrests active decay for up to 6 months. Suitable if the decay hasn't killed the tooth yet.

We can do per tooth or per treatment (good if lots of holes).

NOTE: downside is it turns active decay a very shiny black colour.

3. Temporary or permanent fillings

If you have a hole in your tooth, we will remove the infected tissue and then fill the hole with a material (temporary or permanent). A temporary filling is less than half the price of a permanent filling and can last 6-12 months. Good if the decay hasnt killed the tooth yet.

4. Extirpation (removal of the infected nerve)

Infection or inflammation of the nerve of the tooth is what causes a toothache. The first stage of root canal, we will numb you up and remove the infected nerve tissue and fill the space with medication to kill bacteria and relieve the pain. It is then covered with a temporary filling. The medication inside the tooth is active for up to three months. It is very successful as long as the temporary filling stays sealed and isnt broken!

5. Extraction of the tooth

A more aggressive option that comes with its own risks and disadvantages, but is a good treatment option for teeth that have been broken down to a point where other treatments are no longer on the table. You can then decide to replace the tooth or leave the gap (see https://www.mariusstfamilydental.com.au/concerns/options-for-replacing-missing-teeth/