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Procedures | Root Canal
Therapy
A root canal is a treatment used
to repair and save a tooth that is
badly decayed or becomes infected.
During a root canal procedure, the
nerve and pulp are removed and the
inside of the tooth is cleaned and
sealed. Without treatment, the
tissue surrounding the tooth will
become infected and abscesses may
form.
"Root canal" is the term
used to describe the natural cavity within the center of the tooth. The
pulp or pulp chamber is the soft area within the root canal. The tooth's
nerve lies within the root canal.
A tooth's nerve is not vitally important to a tooth's health and
function after the tooth has emerged through the gums. Its only function
is sensory – to provide the sensation of hot or cold. The presence or
absence of a nerve will not affect the day-to-day functioning of the
tooth.
Why Does the Pulp Need to Be Removed?
When nerve tissue or pulp is damaged, it breaks down and bacteria
begin to multiply within the pulp chamber. The bacteria and other
decayed debris can cause an infection or abscessed tooth. An abscess is
a pus-filled pocket that forms at the end of the roots of the tooth. An
abscess occurs when the infection spreads all the way past the ends of
the roots of the tooth. In addition to an abscess, an infection in the
root canal of a tooth can cause:
- Swelling that may spread to other areas of the face, neck, or
head
- Bone loss around the tip of the root
- Drainage problems extending outward from the root. A hole can
occur through the side of the tooth with drainage into the gums or
through the cheek with drainage into the skin.
What Damages a Tooth's Nerve and Pulp in the First Place?
Nerve and pulp can become irritated, inflamed and infected due to
deep decay, repeated dental procedures on a tooth and/or large fillings,
a crack or chip in the tooth, or trauma to the face.
What Are the Signs that a Root Canal Is Needed?
Sometimes no symptoms are present; however, signs to look for
include:
- Severe toothache pain upon chewing or application of pressure
- Prolonged sensitivity/pain to heat or cold temperatures (after
the hot or cold has been removed)
- Discoloration (a darkening) of the tooth
- Swelling and tenderness in the nearby gums
- A persistent or recurring pimple on the gums
What Happens During the Procedure?
A root canal requires one or more office visits and can be performed
by a dentist or endodontist. An endodontist is a dentist who specializes
in the causes, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases and
injuries of the human dental pulp or the nerve of the tooth. The choice
of which type of dentist to use depends to some degree on the difficulty
of the root canal procedure needed in your particular tooth and the
general dentist's comfort level in working on your tooth. Your dentist
will discuss who might be best suited to perform the work in your
particular case.
More
information available at
http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/dental-root-canals
>>
Information provided by
http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/dental-root-canals
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