Single visit – Root canal treatment
Root canal therapy removes infected pulp tissue within the root chamber of the tooth. Root canal therapy restores and saves an average of 17 million teeth each year. A root canal is a dental procedure that is used to remove diseased pulp tissue from the interior of a tooth. This is generally performed under local anesthetic, so the root canal procedure is generally no more uncomfortable than getting a filling. The narrow channels beneath the pulp chamber in the inner part of the tooth are hollowed out and cleaned, and the roots are filed with flexible nickel titanium files. Dental pulp is composed of nerve tissue, lymph tissue and blood vessels, and is considered to be the vital part of a tooth. If dental pulp is significantly traumatized – whether by exposure to oral bacteria via deep dental caries, a fracture in the tooth that enters the pulp or a forceful blow to the face – the tooth begins to die and root canal therapy is often required in order to prevent or eliminate infection and prevent tooth loss. A root canal therapy involves tooth disinfection and the removal of all debris (nerve tissue, lymph tissue, blood tissue, bacteria and infection) from the coronal pulp chamber and its associated canals. Once an affected tooth's canals are sufficiently cleaned and shaped, they are filled with materials designed to prevent pain and infection from recurring. The hollowed-out tooth is filled with an antibacterial filling, and the tooth is "capped" with a crown for protection.
What is a Root Canal Treatment?
Root canal treatment is the removal of the tooth's pulp, a small, thread-like tissue in the center of the tooth. Once the damaged, diseased or dead pulp is removed, the remaining space is cleaned, shaped and filled. This procedure seals off the root canal. Years ago, teeth with diseased or injured pulps were removed. Today, root canal treatment saves many teeth that would otherwise be lost.
The most common causes of pulp damage or death are:
- A cracked tooth
- A deep cavity
- An injury to a tooth, such as a severe knock to the tooth, either recent or in the past
Once the pulp is infected or dead, and left untreated, pus can build up at the root tip in the jawbone, forming an abscess. An abscess can destroy the bone surrounding the tooth and cause pain.
How is a Root Canal Treatment Done?
Root canal treatment consists of several steps that take place over several office visits, depending on the situation. These steps are:
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.
The temporary filling is removed and the pulp chamber and root canal permanently filled. A tapered, rubber-like 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, a post -n-core may be required to build-up a foundation prior to placement of crown.
In the final step, a crown is usually placed over the tooth to restore its natural shape and appearance.
How Long Will the Restored Tooth Last?
Your treated and restored tooth/teeth can last a lifetime with proper care. Because tooth decay can still occur in treated teeth, good oral hygiene and regular dental exams are necessary to prevent further problems.
