A tooth is considered to be dead if it has been infected and has started to decay. It will cause bad breath because bacteria will thrive on a dead tooth as long as it's still connected to your jaw. The problem can worsen because bacteria can possibly spread to your entire mouth. This could potentially threaten your other teeth.
To avoid further complications, the tooth needs to be saved right away. Extraction is the easiest way to get rid of a painful dead nerve. However, you'll have to get fake teeth or some other implant to take its place. You can always leave your mouth absent of the teeth, but missing teeth can greatly affect your smile. A root canal might be a better option.
A root canal can easily revive a tooth in as little as an hour. The process is not too painful because the only pain you may feel is the anesthesia injection pricking against your gums. Once the anesthesia numbs your gums, you can relax because you won't feel pain anymore.
The infection needs to cleaned by a dental rubber dam to wipe off bacteria on the surface of the infected teeth. Then the dentist will drill a small hole in the middle section of the infected tooth to create access to the tunnel or the pulp of your tooth for cleaning purposes. The pulp will then be cleaned to remove the bacteria that caused your tooth to decay. Once the bacteria has been removed and sanitized, the tooth hole will be filled.
Another effective method to deal with a dead tooth is to replace it with an artificial one called a denture implant. These implants are titanium materials that are designed to attach to the jawbone and replace the old infected tooth. You can ask your dentist for advice on what procedure is best for you.
