When
the nerve of a tooth becomes infected or abscessed,
Root Canal Therapy is the only way to save the tooth.
A tooth can become abscessed as a result of deep
decay, a cracked tooth, or trauma
to the tooth. The only alternative to Root Canal Therapy is
an Extraction.
During Root Canal Therapy, the tooth is "numbed" (just like
having a filling). Then the unhealthy
nerve is removed and medication is placed in the tooth to
treat the bacterial abscess (infection). After the infection
is removed and treated, a filling is placed in the roots where
the unhealthy nerve was.
A tooth that has undergone Root Canal Therapy is more brittle
and must be crowned to give the tooth
sufficient strength. The tooth is cared for in the same way
as other natural teeth. Brush and floss daily, and visit your
dentist for regular preventative dental check-ups.
High-Tech Root Canal Therapy
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The way root canal therapy is performed
today is vastly different than those done a few years
ago, not to mention a decade ago. The potential level
for quality care has dramatically increased. It is a thing
of the past to do root canals in five to six appointments,
or by "touch or feel" because we could not see.
Root canals can be done painlessly, faster, and more accurately
due to the new technology available. |
Non-surgical Root Canal Therapy
Root
Canal Therapy is a dental procedure, performed with
local anesthetic, which involves the removal of the
nerve inside of the tooth because it has become irreversibly
damaged or infected. This is usually due to the entry
of bacteria into the centermost part of the tooth called
the dental pulp (nerve). ROOT CANAL is a commonly
used term for endodontic therapy or root canal therapy.
This procedure involves the removal of the entire nerve
system, as well as cleaning, shaping and 3-dimensional
filling of the canal system with gutta percha and a
dental sealer. The procedure enables you to keep your
natural tooth, which is preferable to any type of replacement.
What Happens During Root Canal Therapy?
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Step one:
After the tooth is "numbed", a small
opening is made into the pulp chamber. The canals
are located and measured, so they can be cleansed
and shaped.
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Step two:
The canals are filled with a rubber-like material
called gutta-percha and the opening is sealed
with sterile cotton pellets and a temporary filling.
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Step three:
The tooth is typically restored within a couple
of weeks. A crown is placed over the treated tooth
in order to protect it, and if the tooth lacks
sufficient tooth structure to hold the core build-up,
a post may be placed inside. Any areas of infection
around the roots will begin to heal.
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The number of visits necessary to complete a root canal
will vary depending upon the degree of infection, the
number of canals in the tooth, if the canals are calcified,
the anatomy of your tooth, and the complexity of the
procedure. We always strive to achieve the best possible
result; therefore, your treatment may take one visit,
or it may take more.
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