Root canal
therapy is needed when the nerve
of a tooth is affected by decay
or infection. In
order to save the tooth, the
pulp (the living tissue inside
the tooth), nerves, bacteria,
and any decay are removed and
the resulting space is filled
with special, medicated, dental
materials, which restore the
tooth to its full function.
Having a root
canal done on a tooth is the
treatment of choice to
save a tooth that otherwise
would die and have to be
removed. Many patients
believe that removing a tooth
that has problems is the
solution, but what is not
realized is that extracting
(pulling) a tooth will
ultimately be more costly and
cause significant problems for
adjacent teeth.
Root canal
treatment is highly successful
and usually lasts a lifetime,
although on occasion, a tooth
will have to be retreated due to
new infections.
Signs and symptoms
for possible root canal therapy:
-
An abscess (or pimple)
on the gums.
-
Sensitivity to hot and
cold.
-
Severe toothache pain.
-
Sometimes no symptoms
are present.
-
Swelling and/or
tenderness.
Reasons for root
canal therapy:
-
Decay has reached the
tooth pulp (the living
tissue inside the
tooth).
-
Infection or abscess
have developed inside
the tooth or at the root
tip.
-
Injury or trauma to the
tooth.
What does root canal therapy
involve?
A root canal procedure
requires one or more
appointments and can be
performed by a dentist or
endodontist (a root canal
specialist).
While the tooth is
numb, a rubber dam (a sheet of
rubber) will be placed around
the tooth to keep it dry and
free of saliva. An access
opening is made on top of the
tooth and a series of root canal
files are placed into the
opening, one at a time, removing
the pulp, nerve tissue, and
bacteria. If tooth decay
is present, it will also be
removed with special dental
instruments.
The exact
measurements are taken
digitally with an
electronic apex locator RootZx.
Gone are the days when we used
to arbitrarily measure with
x-rays.
Once the tooth
is thoroughly cleaned with
electronic NiTi Rotary files (as
opposed to traditional hand
files), it will
be sealed with either a
permanent filling or, if
additional appointments are
needed, a temporary filling will
be placed.
All teeth that have
root canal treatments should
have a crown (cap) placed.
This will protect the tooth and
prevent it from breaking, and
restore it to its full function.
After treatment, your tooth
may still be sensitive, but this
will subside as the inflammation
diminishes and the tooth has
healed.
You will be given care
instructions after each
appointment. Good oral
hygiene practices and regular
dental visits will aid in the
life of your root canal
treatment.
