Root canals have earned a reputation for being invasive, painful and time consuming; however, the procedure has seen several advancements and improvements over the years, and today, with anesthesia and modern practices, root canals can be performed relatively quickly and the pain can be well managed.
What is a root canal?
A root canal is a dental procedure performed to remove damaged dental pulp and save a decaying tooth from removal.
What is dental pulp?
Dental pulp is a soft mass of nerves and endings, blood vessels, as well as tissue that lives within the tooth. It fills the tooth cavity from the crown down into the roots that connect the tooth to the jawbone.
What damages dental pulp and what occurs when it is injured?
Two of the most common reasons people experience damaged dental pulp are untreated, deep cavities and cracks or severe chipping. When dental pulp is injured, it typically dies. Sometimes it can repair itself, but if the source of injury is severe enough, it will likely kill the pulp. Germs enter the injury site infecting the tooth. If you let the problem persist untreated, infection spreads and the root will become pussy and abscessed. If this happens, a root canal may be able to correct the problem and eliminate the need for extraction.
How is a root canal performed?
You may have to schedule more than one visit to your dentist to complete the procedure. If critical enough, you may be referred to an endodontist who specializes in treating problems affecting the dental pulp.
1. The first step is to drill through the crown, the surface of the tooth.
2. The pulp chamber is entered and through the hole the damaged tissue and pulp are extracted.
3. This leaves the exposed nerves and roots sensitive, so the area is cleaned thoroughly and shaped to that it can be sealed and protected.
4. Your dentist will determine what should be done next. He or she may administer medication to fully remove the infection; a temporary filling may seal the crown and allow the tooth to drain and better heal for a few days; or you may go ahead and have the procedure completed. It will depend on the severity of your infection.
5. Once the roots and pulp chamber are healthy, filled and protected, a final crown will be put onto the tooth to close it off. Typically, your dentist will perform this last step, even if you went to a specialist for the root canal therapy.
What is the recovery process like?
If you take good care of your restored tooth (and your smile in general), and if you have enough remaining tissue to support the health of the roots, you can reasonably expect the corrected tooth to last a lifetime. For a few days following the procedure, you may feel some pain, but your dentist will be able to provide you with a proper pain management program. Also, some people experience increased sensitivity following a root canal. If it persists and is painful, you need to return for a follow-up visit because some of the root or chamber may have inadvertently been left exposed.
----------------------------------------------------
Root canal therapy is a common procedure, and Creative Dentistry of Atlanta has helped countless patients needing relief from the pain and annoyance of a damaged tooth. Visit http://www.creativedentistryofatlanta.com/general-dentistry/root-canal-therapy/ to learn more about root canal therapy.
EasyPublish this article: http://submityourarticle.com/articles/easypublish.php?art_id=276969
Spruce Grove Dentist offers root canal therapy for decayed tooth.
ReplyDelete