Root Canal
Treatmentis the field of
dentistry concerned with the prevention,
diagnosis and treatment of disorders of
the dental pulp. Years ago, teeth with
diseased or injured pulps were
extracted. Today, root canal treatment
gives dentists a safe and effective
means of saving teeth.
The pulp
is made up of nerves, blood vessels, and
connective tissue, which are important
in tooth development. There are very
small canals within your tooth and they
can become infected quite easily. This
causes the pulp inside your tooth to
become infected as well. Pain and
swelling may accompany the infection.
Even in the absence of pain, certain
by-products of a diseased pulp can
injure the bone that anchors your tooth
in the jaw. Our endodontist , who is a
dental specialist in root canal
treatment, will remove this infection by
performing a root canal procedure. This
is one of the safest and most effective
methods of saving a damaged tooth.
Treatment usually requires
from one to three appointments. The pulp
chamber and root canal(s) of the tooth
is then cleaned, shaped, filled and
sealed to prevent recontamination of the
root canal system.
The Procedure
1. Our endodontist will
examine the tooth and x-rays before
numbing the area around the affected
tooth. A small protective sheet called a
"dental dam,” is placed over the area.
This will isolate the tooth and keep it
clean and free of saliva throughout the
procedure. We will then drill through to
the pulp area, either through the top or
the back of the tooth. Very small
instruments and an antiseptic solution
will be used to clean the pulp and root
canals and a space is shaped for a
filling.
2. When the space has been
cleaned and shaped, we will fill the
root canal with a biocompatible
material. This is usually a flexible
plastic material called "gutta-percha”
ensuring that the root canals are
completely sealed. Normally, a temporary
filling will be inserted to close the
opening. The temporary filling will be
removed by your dentist before the tooth
is restored.
3. After your final visit,
you must return to our clinic for the
restoration work. If there is no sign of
any infection a crown or permanent
filling will be inserted after the root
canal procedure.
FAQS
Will I be in any pain after
treatment? |
You
may experience some discomfort
on the tooth that has been
treated. If you are experiencing
discomfort or pain, avoid
strenuous activities and keep
your head elevated at all times.
For pain, ibuprofen is
recommended. However, you should
always follow our instructions
concerning medication(s). If the
prescribed medication is not
effective in relieving the pain,
please contact our clinic. |
Will my diet be affected after
treatment? |
Please avoid eating or drinking
anything too hot or too hard .
Your mouth will still be numb
and you may not feel the heat
and burn your mouth. Eat foods
that do not require vigorous
chewing during the first few
days. Eggs, soups and milk
shakes would be suitable. |
Advantages & Disadvantages of Root Canal
Treatment
Advantages
:
- Any infection will only get
worse with time, if left untreated.
- The greatest advantage is
that the tooth will not need to be
extracted in the future.
Disadvantages:
- Occasionally, infected
tissue is pushed through the ends of the
root infecting the
gum. This can be treated
easily, but there will be some pain
until the infection is
cleared up.
- Canals are irregularly
shaped, and if the canal is not
accurately measured then it
won’t be cleaned or filled
properly. This will cause the pulp to
become infected
again and a second procedure
will be necessary. |
