Endodontics
heathy, confident, beautiful smile
Root Canal Therapy
Endodontics may be a tongue twister, but for a growing number of people, it has meant that their damaged or injured teeth may be saved.
Endodontic therapy is sometimes called root canal therapy or nerve or pulp therapy. It literally means working inside the tooth. Treatment of this type is common in general dental practice. In many parts of the world today, a number of dentists limit their practice to Endodontics as a specialty.
Signs and symptoms for possible root canal therapy
Root canal treatment is highly successful and usually lasts a lifetime, although on occasion, a tooth will have to be retreated due to new infections.
- An abscess (or pimple) on the gums.
- Sensitivity to hot and cold.
- Severe toothache pain.
- Sometimes no symptoms are present.
- Swelling and/or tenderness.
- Decay has reached the tooth pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth).
- Infection or abscess have developed inside the tooth or at the root tip.
- Injury or trauma to the tooth.
A tooth has three primary parts.
The outer most is the enamel which is the hardest. Inside this is the softer dentine. At the core of the tooth is the pulp cavity, is soft tissue that contains the delicate blood vessels and nerve fibers of the tooth. The two commonest causes of the tooth pulp damages are accidents and decay.
The typical tooth ache arises when the decay process has penetrated though the tooth to the nerve of the pulp. The pain is severe and long lasting.
The bacteria can spread though the pulp and down the root of the tooth. An abscess soon forms as a bacteria exist the end of the root and start growing with the jaw bone.
In such cases, the dentist will remove all the pulp and clean the root canal then fill it with an inert material. The tooth can still function like any other tooth.
Accidents are common causes of pulp damage to the front teeth. Most injuries during motor or sports accidents are a common culprit. If the crown of the tooth is fractured, and the pulp is exposed, it can be treated by root canal therapy.
What does root canal therapy involve?
A root canal procedure requires one or more appointments and can be performed by a dentist or endodontist (a root canal specialist).
While the tooth is numb, a rubber dam (a sheet of rubber) will be placed around the tooth to keep it dry and free of saliva. An access opening is made on top of the tooth and a series of root canal files are placed into the opening, one at a time, removing the pulp, nerve tissue, and bacteria. If tooth decay is present, it will also be removed with special dental instruments.
Once the tooth is thoroughly cleaned, it will be sealed with either a permanent filling or, if additional appointments are needed, a temporary filling will be placed.
At the next appointment, usually a week later, the roots and the inside cavity of the tooth will be filled and sealed with special dental materials. A filling will be placed to cover the opening on top of the tooth. In addition, all teeth that have root canal treatment should have a crown (cap) placed. This will protect the tooth and prevent it from breaking, and restore it to its full function.
After treatment, your tooth may still be sensitive, but this will subside as the inflammation diminishes and the tooth has healed.
You will be given care instructions after each appointment. Good oral hygiene practices and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your root canal treatment.