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What Is Root Canal Therapy?
Root canal therapy (endonditcs) treats disorders of the nerve (pulp) of the tooth.
It used to be that a tooth with a diseased or infected nerve had to be removed. In
95 percent of these cases today, however, this is no longer true. We believe in saving
teeth (instead of removing them) and we make every effort to save yours!
What's going to happen?
Once it has been determined that root canal treatment is necessary, you will be scheduled
for one or more appointments with Dr. Billings. It is important that you keep all
of these appointments and that you take all antibiotics and medications prescribed.
The procedure:
First, the tooth may be isolated with a piece of rubber dam.
This confines the treatment area and protects the mouth from bacteria and chemical
agents. An opening is made through the crown into the pulp. (Your tooth may be numbed
prior to this procedure.)
We then carefully remove the diseased pulp. The root canal area inside your tooth
is cleaned, enlarged and shaped. Then, depending on your individual case, the root
canal(s) and pulp chamber may be permanently filled and sealed. In some cases, however,
we place a temporary medication in the tooth to control bacterial growth and reduce
infection.
A temporary filling is placed in the opening of the tooth until the next visit. In
some cases, however, the tooth may be left open. This allows the infection to drain.
The root canal and pulp chamber are permanently filled and sealed. Finally, the tooth
is fully restored to chewing function.
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Why do I need a root canal?
There are several reasons. The most common are:
Trauma – a physical blow to a tooth or a constant striking of a tooth in
the opposite jaw that traumatizes the tooth.
Physical irritation – deep decay or a very large filling.
Regardless of the initial cause, the tooth pulp becomes irritated and an abscess
(infection) occurs. Bacteria from your saliva grow within the tooth pulp, causing
pressure and pain. In some cases the face may swell. Eventually the pulp dies, causing
the bone around the tooth to be destroyed. |
