It's no secret that root canals have gotten a bad rap over the years. But the truth is that root canal therapy has come a long way, with patients experiencing very little to no pain at all. The procedure is highly successful and a very effective method of avoiding extraction by saving and restoring a diseased tooth.
What Are Root Canals?
Every tooth in your mouth has anywhere from 1 to 4 root canals. These are tiny passageways that run from the top of your tooth to the end of the root in your jaw. These root canals connect to the nerve tissue, or pulp, in the center of your tooth, which supplies vital nutrients to your teeth.
Why Would You Need Root Canal Therapy?
If the nerve tissue in your tooth becomes damaged, the result can be extremely painful. The damage may be a result of trauma from a physical injury, or may be caused by deep-reaching decay. If the pulp is infected, as is the case with decay, pockets of puss can form what is called an abscess around the base of the root canals. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the bone causing further problems.
In either case, the damaged nerve tissue must be removed in order to alleviate the pain and prevent the spread of infection. Traditionally, the only solution was an extraction. With root canal therapy, there is a very high possibility of saving the damaged tooth.
Symptoms of damaged or infected nerve tissue in your tooth include pain, persistent sensitivity to hot or cold, pain while chewing, tender to the touch, swelling, and draining. Through simple tests and x-rays, your dentist can tell if you have a damaged tooth that requires a root canal.
The Procedure
A root canal procedure is usually performed by an endodontic dentist: a dentist that specializes in treating the inside of the tooth. If an infection is present, you may be required to take antibiotics prior to the procedure.
The discomfort of a root canal for most people is about the same as getting a filling. Your dentist will use local anesthesia to completely numb the tooth, roots, and surrounding tissue.
Your dentist will first remove the top, or crown, of the infected tooth to expose the nerve tissue. The nerve tissue is then removed and the pulp chamber and root canals cleaned using very small instruments. If an infection is present, the pulp chamber and canals may be packed with medicine and another appointment will be necessary to complete the procedure.
The root canals are then packed with a plastic material and the tooth is capped with a temporary filling to close the opening. Once the tooth is healed, the temporary filling is removed and a crown or other restoration is placed on top of the tooth to provide a more permanent solution.
Despite its unwarranted reputation, root canal therapy remains an effective and virtually painless method for saving a diseased tooth.
Author Resource:-
Chris Harmen writes for City Dental, LA dentists specializing in cosmetic and general dentistry with a commitment to the highest standards in patient care.
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