If a tooth dies or turns rotten due to decay, you should see your dentist as soon as possible. The sooner a patient sees a dentist, the more likely it is that a root canal will be able to salvage a bad tooth. So, while a rotting tooth will ultimately come out, a patient should not wait for it to happen. Patients should visit the dentist regularly so any problems with their teeth can be identified and treated before they cause other serious dental issues. After a patient has seen the dentist and received an examination, the next step in treatment depends on what was found during this initial inspection. If the dentist finds no major problems with the tooth itself, but does find several cavities or areas of discoloration, then a patient may be given recommendations on how to prevent future damage to these vulnerable areas. You may be advised to brush vigorously and regularly use fluoride-containing products such as toothpaste and mouthwash to protect your teeth against future decay. If there are major issues with a patient's tooth, it may need to be removed and replaced with a prosthetic (false) tooth. This is called an implantation. First, the dentist removes all of the damaged tissue around the tooth, then places it in a laboratory where it is soaked in a chemical solution that sterilizes it. Once complete sterilization has been achieved, the dentist inserts the tooth into its new home inside the patient's body.