What is Root Canal Treatment?
What is a Root Canal?
Root canal treatment is the removal of the tooth's pulp, a small, thread-like tissue in the center of the tooth. Once the damaged, diseased or dead pulp is removed, the remaining space is cleaned, shaped and filled. This procedure seals off the root canal. Years ago, teeth with diseased or injured pulps were removed. Today, root canal treatment saves many teeth that would otherwise be lost.
The most common causes of pulp damage or death are:
- A cracked tooth
- A deep cavity
- An injury to a tooth, such as a severe knock to the tooth, either recent or in the past
Once the pulp is infected or dead, if left untreated, pus can build up at the root tip in the jawbone, forming an abscess. An abscess can destroy the bone surrounding the tooth and cause pain
Root canal treatment is the removal of the tooth's pulp, a small, thread-like tissue in the center of the tooth. Once the damaged, diseased or dead pulp is removed, the remaining space is cleaned, shaped and filled. This procedure seals off the root canal. Years ago, teeth with diseased or injured pulps were removed. Today, root canal treatment saves many teeth that would otherwise be lost.
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| Tooth pulp damaged by a deep cavity. |
How is a Root Canal Done?
Root canal treatment consists of several steps that take place over several office visits, depending on the situation. These steps are:
- First, an opening is made through the back of a front tooth or the crown of a molar or pre-molar.
- After the diseased pulp is removed (a pulpectomy), the pulp chamber and root canals are cleaned, enlarged and shaped in preparation for being filled.
- If more than one visit is needed, a temporary filling is placed in the crown opening to protect the tooth between dental visits.
- The temporary filling is removed and the pulp chamber and root canal permanently filled. A tapered, rubbery material called gutta-percha is inserted into each of the canals and is often sealed into place with cement. Sometimes a metal or plastic rod is placed in the canal for structural support.
- In the final step, a crown is usually placed over the tooth to restore its natural shape and appearance. If the tooth is very broken down, a post may be required to build it up prior to placing a crown.
The pulp is removed and the root canals cleaned before filling.
How Long Will the Restored Tooth Last?
Your treated and restored tooth/teeth can last a lifetime with proper care. Because tooth decay can still occur in treated teeth, good oral hygiene and regular dental exams are necessary to prevent further problems.
Your treated and restored tooth/teeth can last a lifetime with proper care. Because tooth decay can still occur in treated teeth, good oral hygiene and regular dental exams are necessary to prevent further problems.
As there is no longer a pulp keeping the tooth alive, root-treated teeth can become brittle and are more prone to fracture. This is an important consideration when deciding whether to crown or fill a tooth after root canal treatment.
To determine the success or failure of root canal treatment, the most relied-upon method is to compare new X-rays with those taken prior to treatment. This comparison will show whether bone continues to be lost or is being regenerated.
How do i know if i need a Root Canal Treatment ?
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| The chamber is filled and sealed. |
You may need a root canal if you have a severe toothache, usually along with swelling in your jaw around your tooth. When the pulp (the soft tissue inside the roots and center of a tooth) is damaged from a cracked tooth or other injury, or from a deep cavity, it can get infected. This can cause pain, swelling, and even an abscess in the bone around the tooth. To treat the damage, your dentist can do a root canal to remove the pulp from the tooth's roots and pulp chamber, treat any infection, and fill the tooth. You will then need a crown over the repaired tooth.The most common symptoms are pain to hot and cold liquids. When you bite on the tooth and it elicits discomfort. Sometimes mild sensitivity is a symptom, although it may be from other causes such as recession or hard tooth brushing that removes enamel.
There are instances where there are no symptoms but your dentist sees infection on the x-ray.
If you have any of the symptoms outlined above or believe you are candidate for Root Canal...please call us today at (703)-910-4805 and our experienced team of dentists at Woodbridge Smiles can perform full evaluation and recommend right course of action for you.