Seocho-dong Dental Clinic: If You Don’t Want Your Teeth Reduced, Choose an Overlay

“My lower right molar is sensitive.

It throbs when I chew something hard.”

A male patient in his mid-30s visited our dental clinic a few months ago.

In fact, about four months before that, he had already received resin buildup treatment from me for the same tooth.

Date taken: 250220

Back then, we chose a treatment plan that preserved the tooth, but the ongoing discomfort over time eventually brought him back to the clinic.

This time, with a more in-depth diagnosis, we decided to carefully look into what treatment was truly necessary.

1. Just pain? Signals hidden inside it Seocho-dong Dental Clinic

When he first came in, it looked like he was only experiencing mild discomfort after the resin treatment.

But after taking X-rays and performing a root canal examination for a more precise diagnosis, the problem turned out to be much more complex.

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There was a micro-crack in the resin.

Because the patient had a habit of clenching his teeth and also grinding them, it had progressed to resin fracture..

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In addition, the root was severely curved, and inflammatory findings were already visible in the internal pulp tissue.

This was not simply a symptom of sensitivity, but a situation that could be judged as irreversible pulpitis, in which damage had already progressed to the nerve.

In this case, the treatment difficulty was quite high because it was different from a typical straight root canal.

Seocho-dong Dental Clinic

Because the inside was significantly curved, it was difficult for instruments to enter, and removing the infected tissue without leaving any behind required a great deal of skill and focus from the medical team.

2. Curved root canals, high-difficulty root canal treatment Seocho-dong Dental Clinic

The patient’s molar was not a structure that could be finished with simple cavity treatment.

To be precise, this tooth had a severely curved root canal.

If the root shape is bent (curved), the canal is narrow (constricted), or even split into multiple branches,

an instrument may not be inserted properly, may break midway, and inflammation may recur because the area cannot be fully cleaned.

So when treating such a tooth, the following approach is needed👇

✅ Visual field secured with high-magnification loupes

✅ Use of pre-curved instruments : Precise insertion along the curved path

✅ Delicate removal of infected areas using an ultrasonic instrument system

✅ A filling method that considers pressure distribution during root canal obturation Seocho-dong Dental Clinic

These tasks are by no means simple.

They require a great deal of time and, above all, experience and manual skill.

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That is why this can be described as a highly complex treatment process that cannot be explained by the simple term “root canal treatment.”

Even with such a difficult structure, Seocho-dong Dental Clinic was able to accurately identify the anatomical structure of the root canal through repeated CT and X-ray diagnostics,

and successfully complete the root canal treatment while maintaining thorough infection control and isolation throughout the entire process.

. 3. A choice that reduces tooth reduction and helps the tooth last longer Seocho-dong Dental Clinic

After the root canal treatment was completed, the remaining concern was the prosthetic method. In many such cases, patients often choose treatment that reduces the entire tooth and places a crown.

I think differently. The tooth still had plenty of healthy tooth structure remaining, and full reduction was unnecessary.

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So I chose an overlay crown. An overlay is a method that does not cover the entire tooth but precisely restores only the functionally weakened areas.

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It is a method that can sufficiently restore the necessary function while reducing the amount of tooth reduction. This was also carried out under complete moisture control with a rubber dam in place, using precise bonding.

Because bonding is the key to the longevity of a restoration, we make careful efforts so that it is not simply “covered,” but that the tooth and the prosthesis become “one.” Seocho-dong Dental Clinic

4. Sincere care for long-term use of natural teeth Seocho-dong Dental Clinic

After the treatment, the patient held a mirror and carefully checked the result, then said this:

“I thought it was just sensitivity at first, but I feel reassured that everything was examined so carefully.”

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The tooth had continued to feel uncomfortable even after the previous resin treatment, and in fact it was a difficult case in which a curved root canal and infected pulp tissue were hidden inside.

The root canal treatment was difficult and complex, but it was carried through thoroughly to completion, and afterward, the overlay crown helped reduce tooth reduction while restoring both function and aesthetics.

Most importantly, because the healthy parts of the natural tooth were preserved as they were and only the necessary areas were precisely restored, the patient will be able to use it comfortably even after treatment^^

I believe dental treatment should go beyond simply “fixing what hurts.” Seocho-dong Dental Clinic

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Especially in areas like molars, where once damage begins it is easy to lose both function and structure at the same time, we need to think even more carefully about what to save and how to restore it.

At Seocho-dong Dental Clinic, we prioritize precise and less invasive methods, such as overlay crowns that can preserve natural teeth, over simple full-coverage crowns.

Like today’s case, the treatment may begin with a small symptom, but through an in-depth diagnosis and honest treatment, our goal is to help patients use their teeth for longer and in better health. That is the direction of care we pursue.

Precise diagnosis, minimal reduction, long-lasting results. Seocho-dong Dental Clinic will continue to value and uphold those three principles.

Thank you.

• Depending on the individual, symptoms such as sensitivity, a foreign-body sensation, and bite discomfort may appear temporarily, and in rare cases additional treatment may be necessary.

Treatment period: 250220 - 250624