By Arthur Kezian
Your dentist may have told you that you need a root canal and you're wondering if your tooth really needs it.
Years ago, a badly infected or decayed tooth was always pulled out. Today the majority of such teeth can be saved through procedures used by a trusted endodontist or general dentist. These days, however, extraction or having a tooth pulled out is a very last resort.
A root canal may be necessary if your tooth experiences any of the following:
* Spontaneous pain or throbbing while biting
* Sensitivity to hot and cold foods
* Severe decay or an injury that creates an abscess (pus accumulation) in the bone
Your dentist is the expert who can determine for sure if the tooth is in such serious condition that it needs a root canal.
Treatment consists of:
The removal of the infected or irritated nerve tissue that lies within the root of the tooth. It is this infected pulp tissue that causes an eventual abscess.
1. The first step is to obtain access to the nerve. This is accomplished by establishing a small access opening on the top of the tooth. It will be done under local anesthesia.
2. The dentist then determines the length of the root canal and removes the infected pulp.
3. During the same visit, the canal where the nerve is located will be reshaped and prepared to accept a special root canal filling material. This filling procedure will probably not occur until your next visit.
The number of visits necessary to complete your root canal will depend upon several factors including the number of nerves in the tooth, the infected state of the nerve and the complexity of the procedure.
4. The final step in your root canal will be the sealing of the root canal with a sterile, plastic material called gutta percha. The sealing is done in order to prevent possible future infection.
The tooth will then possibly need a post and core and a crown in order to re-establish normal form and function. This decision will be based upon several additional factors.
If treated early, a root canal need not be uncomfortable. With the use of local anesthetics, the entire procedure can be totally painless.
Proper restoration the tooth should mean it will last as long as your other teeth and can even be used as an anchor tooth for a partial denture or cemented bridge. The success rates for root canals have been reported to be as high as 95%.
Sometimes when there has been long-standing infection or abscess, there may be some soreness associated with the first or second root canal visit. If this should turn out to be true you will be given specific instructions to follow to minimize the discomfort. When an infection is present, it may be necessary to take an antibiotic. If pain is present, analgesics may need to be prescribed. In either case, be sure to call the dental clinic if either of these problems should arise.
Your dentist may have told you that you need a root canal and you're wondering if your tooth really needs it.
Years ago, a badly infected or decayed tooth was always pulled out. Today the majority of such teeth can be saved through procedures used by a trusted endodontist or general dentist. These days, however, extraction or having a tooth pulled out is a very last resort.
A root canal may be necessary if your tooth experiences any of the following:
* Spontaneous pain or throbbing while biting
* Sensitivity to hot and cold foods
* Severe decay or an injury that creates an abscess (pus accumulation) in the bone
Your dentist is the expert who can determine for sure if the tooth is in such serious condition that it needs a root canal.
Treatment consists of:
The removal of the infected or irritated nerve tissue that lies within the root of the tooth. It is this infected pulp tissue that causes an eventual abscess.
1. The first step is to obtain access to the nerve. This is accomplished by establishing a small access opening on the top of the tooth. It will be done under local anesthesia.
2. The dentist then determines the length of the root canal and removes the infected pulp.
3. During the same visit, the canal where the nerve is located will be reshaped and prepared to accept a special root canal filling material. This filling procedure will probably not occur until your next visit.
The number of visits necessary to complete your root canal will depend upon several factors including the number of nerves in the tooth, the infected state of the nerve and the complexity of the procedure.
4. The final step in your root canal will be the sealing of the root canal with a sterile, plastic material called gutta percha. The sealing is done in order to prevent possible future infection.
The tooth will then possibly need a post and core and a crown in order to re-establish normal form and function. This decision will be based upon several additional factors.
If treated early, a root canal need not be uncomfortable. With the use of local anesthetics, the entire procedure can be totally painless.
Proper restoration the tooth should mean it will last as long as your other teeth and can even be used as an anchor tooth for a partial denture or cemented bridge. The success rates for root canals have been reported to be as high as 95%.
Sometimes when there has been long-standing infection or abscess, there may be some soreness associated with the first or second root canal visit. If this should turn out to be true you will be given specific instructions to follow to minimize the discomfort. When an infection is present, it may be necessary to take an antibiotic. If pain is present, analgesics may need to be prescribed. In either case, be sure to call the dental clinic if either of these problems should arise.
-N.S.
