Root Canals
The term "root canal treatment" comes from cleaning and filling of the
canals inside the tooth's root. A root canal treatment is a treatment to
repair and save a badly damaged or infected tooth. The procedure involves
removing the damaged nerve tissue of the tooth called the pulp followed by
cleaning and disinfecting it and then filling and sealing it off with a
permanent filler called Gutta Percha. The common causes affecting the pulp
are a cracked teeth, a deep cavity, repeated dental treatment to the tooth
or trauma.
What to Expect During a ROOT CANAL
If you think you need a root canal treatment, consult your dentist. There
are a number of steps involved in the treatment which might take over a few
office visits sometimes.
-
X-ray
– if a dentist suspects you may need a root canal treatment, he will
first take X-rays or examine existing X-rays to show where the decay is
located.
-
Anesthesia
– local anesthesia is administered to the affected tooth. Contrary to
popular belief, a root canal is no more painful than a filling.
-
Pulpectomy
– an opening is made and the diseased tooth pulp is removed.
-
Filling
– the roots that have been opened (to get rid of the disease pulp) are
filled with gutta-percha material and sealed off with cement.
-
Permanent Restoration
- the tooth being devoid of blood supply is dehydrated and tends to
chip off easily so ideally it is best to restore the tooth with a
permanent ceramic or metal crown to increase the life span of the
tooth.