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
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?
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.
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.
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.
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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