Endodontics
You may be referred to an endodontist for a root canal if your tooth is infected. A root canal aims to repair and save an infected tooth, by removing the nerve and pulp cleaning the inside of the tooth.
Why Remove the Pulp?
Removing the pulp helps keep other tissues in your mouth from getting infected. If you don't get treated, the entire tooth may need to be removed. Infections and abscesses outside the roots can be life-threatening if they spread into the tissues of your head and neck.
What to Expect
A local anesthetic is applied to numb the tooth, then a small protective sheet called a dental dam is positioned over the area to keep the tooth clean and free from saliva.
Next, a small opening is created on the crown of the tooth, providing access to the pulp. The pulp is removed from the chamber and root canal spaces and then the root canal is cleaned.
Root canals are typically filled and sealed with a rubber-like material before placing a temporary filling. The filling helps to prevent contamination in the hole. On your next visit, your temporary filling is removed and the tooth is restored with a crown or filling.
Have a deep tooth infection in one or more of your teeth? You might need a root canal to save that tooth.
Rotten Roots
Every tooth has a soft inner section of tissue, appropriately called pulp. This is where you find all of your tooth’s delicates; nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. If bacteria find their way into the pulp by way of cracked teeth or deep cavities,, this can cause pain, inflammation, and infection.
Why Remove the Pulp?
If you tooth’s pulp is damaged or infected, you’ll know it, thanks to all of the pain and swelling. The pulp may need to be removed to keep other tissues in your mouth from getting infected.
If bacteria attacks the bone beneath the tooth, you’re in serious trouble. Infections and abscesses outside the roots can be life threatening if they spread into the tissues of your head and neck. If you don’t get it treated fast, your going to need a full tooth extraction, no questions asked.
Extraction Issues
Removing a tooth isn’t always the end of your problems… sometimes it’s the beginning of a set of new ones.
Teeth surrounding the extraction may shift or tilt slightly. This can make chewing difficult. Cleaning may also become challenging, which sets you up for repeating the cycle of gum disease all over again.
A root canal can save the your natural tooth and keep you from having to deal with these problems.
How the Treatment Works
- First, we numb the tooth and place a thin sheet of latex rubber to keep it isolated and clean. We then make an opening through the crown of the tooth to give us access to the pulp.
- Through this opening, we remove the pulp from the chamber and root canal spaces. We then clean and shape each root canal so it’s ready to be filled.
- Your dentist may medicate the area afterwards to get rid of bacteria before finishing the root canal.
- Your root canal is usually filled and sealed with a rubber-like material, and we then place a temporary filling in the access hole to prevent contamination.
- Next, your temporary filling is removed, and the tooth is restored with a crown or filling to strengthen it.
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