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. |
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What does root canal therapy involve?
A root canal
procedure requires one or more appointments depending on the
case and symptoms.
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.
Once the tooth is thoroughly cleaned, it will be sealed with
either a permanent filling or, if additional appointments are
needed, a temporary filling will be placed.
At the next
appointment, the roots and the inside cavity of the tooth will
be filled and sealed with special dental materials. A filling
will be placed to cover the opening on top of the tooth. In
addition, all teeth that have root canal treatment 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 to pressure,
but this will subside as the inflammation diminishes and the
tooth has healed.
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