Endodontic therapy, more commonly known as root canal treatment, is performed when the nerve of a tooth becomes infected and is designed to allow patients to keep their tooth. Without endodontic therapy, dentists would have to extract teeth with infected nervous systems; Fortunately, root canals preserve tooth structure so other teeth don’t slip out of alignment and cause more serious jaw problems. Also, because root canal therapy respects the natural tooth, patients do not need an artificial tooth.
Treatment Details
Endodontic therapy is simply the process of removing infected, injured, or dead pulp from the root system of your tooth. Within the hard layers of each tooth is the root canal system that is filled with dental pulp. The soft dental pulp consists of nerves and blood vessels that help the tooth grow and develop; but when deep cavities allow bacteria to enter the pulp and damage the pulp, an abscess may form. Unfortunately, when the pulp becomes infected, it must be removed to treat the pain and swelling associated with the abscess. Without treatment, infected pulp can cause serious oral health problems.
Root canal treatment is actually a very common treatment that can be performed by your dentist or an endodontist. Endodontists have completed a postgraduate fellowship program in endodontics; therefore they are highly qualified to perform endodontics or endodontic treatments of the dental pulp and dental nerve.
There are 7 basic steps involved in root endodontic therapy:
1. Your dentist numbs your gums in the area of the damaged tooth.
2. A rubber dam is placed around the affected tooth to prevent bacteria from saliva from entering the treated area.
3. Your dentist accesses the root canal system and infects the pulp through an opening in the tooth.
4. The damaged pulp is removed and cleaned with fine dental instruments. The root canal system is enlarged.
5. Your dental canal is cleaned, filled and sealed.
6. The opening made in the tooth by your dentist is closed with a temporary or permanent filling.
7. Follow-up treatments will help your tooth return to its natural look and feel.
Patient expectations
After root canal treatment, many patients experience some sensitivity for the first few weeks. However, severe pain and swelling are rare, so patients with these symptoms should see their dentist or endodontist to make sure there are no complications.
In general, endodontic therapy can be completed in one to two appointments. Patients should be aware that treated teeth are still prone to decay and gum disease after endodontic therapy, so good oral care remains very important. However, with regular brushing, flossing, and routine dental visits, treated teeth can last as long as untreated teeth.
You probably don’t think about having root canal treatment every day. However, for some people, some dental symptoms may be an indication that they should at least seek their dentist’s opinion on the applicability of the option. Choosing to undergo it can mean a lot to your dental health. The process is better known as root canal treatment. However, it is classified more specifically in the branch of endodontics. This pays special attention to the part of the tooth known as the pulp. This is located in the center of the tooth and extends through canals in the roots.
There is usually no major problem when undergoing endodontic therapy. The pulp actually contains vessels, nerves, and tissues that once played a role in caring for young teeth. However, as a person ages, this part loses its most important function as the blood supply to the gums takes over the role of nutrition. Therefore, there is nothing alarming about the removal of the pulp. Not everyone has to submit to the option. Often it is only recommended for people experiencing a bacterial infection. This is usually the result of severe decay that has spread beyond the tooth surface and infected underlying structures. Since antibiotics alone cannot sufficiently treat, the only other acceptable option would be to undergo root canal surgery.
Of course, you can’t decide for yourself if you want to do it. You’ll need a dental evaluation to make sure you really need help with a root canal. At first, they may ask about the symptoms and signs you noticed. For example, you may have particularly sensitive teeth or suffer from swelling. The dentist can perform a visual examination of the problem area in your oral cavity. If there is reason to suspect that you have a significant pulp problem, X-rays may be recommended. In some cases, power tools are used to determine the dilemma.
The root canal treatment procedure requires more time and effort than tooth extraction. After anesthesia is administered, the top of the tooth is opened, and then the damaged pulp is removed. It can then be shaped to prepare the section for the filling. The filler used is usually gutta-percha, a rubber-like material. At a later visit, the dentist can restore the area of the crown where the opening was made.
There may be some complications during and after the procedure. Like any other complicated medical option, infection is a possibility. In addition, damage to the tooth can also occur. This is likely if the root has a different shape or if some parts cannot be detected by the available tools. In some cases, the pulp cannot be completely removed, in which case pain and discomfort may still be experienced.
