Root Canals
Root canal therapy is the removal of the damaged nerve from the inside of the tooth due to the tooth being badly damaged from decay, disease or injury
What are the symptoms?
Severe pain after eating/drinking something hot or cold, discoloration (a darkening) of the tooth, swelling and soreness in the gums surrounding the tooth, loosening of the tooth, facial swelling.
What Happens During a Root Canal?
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Diagnosis: The dentist examines the tooth and takes X-rays to assess the extent of the infection or damage.
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Removing Infected Pulp: The dentist creates a small opening in the tooth and removes the infected or damaged pulp.
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Cleaning and Shaping: The root canals are cleaned, disinfected, and shaped to prepare them for filling.
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Filling: The empty canals are filled with a biocompatible material to seal them and prevent future infection.
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Restoration: A crown or filling is placed on the treated tooth to restore its function and strength
Why is Root Canal Treatment Necessary?
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Relieves Pain: Infected or damaged pulp causes intense tooth pain. A root canal eliminates the source of the pain.
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Prevents Tooth Loss: The procedure saves your natural tooth, avoiding extraction.
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Restores Function: After treatment, the tooth can function normally for chewing and speaking.
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Prevents Infection Spread: Removing the infection prevents it from spreading to nearby teeth or into the jawbone
How is a Root Canal Done?
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.
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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.