Root Canal Treatment - When tooth pulp is damaged . . .
If the pulp of a tooth becomes badly diseased or injured, endodontic (root canal) therapy may be needed to save the tooth. The pulp is a soft tissue containing nerves, arteries, veins, and lymph vessels. It's located at the core of the tooth and extends from the tip of the tooth root, where it connects to the jaw, through the center of the root, and up into the crown of the tooth.
If the pulp is injured perhaps by a blow to the tooth, by a deep cavity, or by periodontal disease, the pulp can become exposed to the bacteria in saliva. If the pulp is so damaged that it cannot repair itself, it dies and becomes a source of infection. The infection spreads through the pulp to the tissues that surround and support the tooth in the jaw. A dental abscess then forms at the tooth root.
Pain and swelling may accompany the infection. Even if no pain is felt, certain byproducts produced by the diseased pulp can damage the bone anchoring the tooth in the jaw. The tooth also may become discolored. When the condition reaches this stage, the dentist and patient have only two choices: save the tooth by endodontic therapy or extract the tooth. Left untreated, the tooth eventually must be removed.
Endodontic therapy is preferable in most cases and often is less costly for the patient. When a tooth is extracted and not replaced, the teeth surrounding the empty space begin to shift, which could result in loss of additional teeth. Chewing ability and appearance also are affected. If the tooth is removed, a replacement tooth (bridge) should be placed. However, the cost of a bridge usually is higher than the cost of endodontic therapy, and placement of a bridge requires dental treatment on the teeth bordering the empty space. A healthy natural tooth is always preferable to an artificial one.
Endodontic treatment requires several office visits. To assure your comfort, the dentist may administer a local anesthetic before beginning treatment. The first step involves drilling a hole in the tooth to remove the pulp. The root canal is cleaned, enlarged, and shaped to a form that can be easily filled. Medication may be placed in the pulp chamber to help eliminate bacteria. The dentist then places a temporary filling to protect the pulp chamber between dental appointments.
If the infection is severe, the dentist may leave the tooth open for a few days to drain the infection. You also may be given antibiotics.
The next step is to fill and seal the root canal with a material that prevents bacteria from re-entering the canal. Finally, the crown of the tooth is restored to its natural color and proper function either by bleaching and filling the tooth or by placement of a crown (cap). Gold or porcelain crowns often are used when a tooth has been badly fractured or decayed. The type of material used depends on where the tooth is situated, the tooth's color, and how much of the natural tooth remains. If an endodontist performs your treatment, he or she may recommend that your family dentist handle this phase of treatment.
Your restored tooth could last a lifetime, if you take good care of your teeth. The gums and bone that surround and support the tooth must remain healthy. This means daily brushing and flossing, eating a balanced diet and limiting sugary and starchy foods, using fluoride daily, and visiting the dentist regularly.
ROOT CANAL TREATMENT