This patient came in as an emergency with facial swelling and toothache. Tooth 46 (lower first molar) was badly broken down with chronic apical periodontitis. Extraction was not chosen as an option for this tooth but also finances played a factor in the treatment decision, so it was decided to perform traditional root canal therapy with an amalgam core/crown as the final restoration. This tooth is not visible on smiling so the patient was able to have a functional tooth while also saving on the cost not having a porcelain crown.
For more information about root canal treatment https://www.teeth.org.au/root-canal-treatment
Teeth.org.au is an oral health information website created by the Australian Dental Association (ADA).
