What is root
canal therapy?
Root canal therapy is designed to correct disorders of
the dental pulp -- the soft tissue around the tooth that
contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue.
Teeth with abscessed, or infected, nerves were once
removed with corrective therapy. But now, in 95 percent
of these cases of pulpal infection, the natural tooth can
be saved through modern endodontic procedures. (Also
called pulp specialists, endodontists have undergone
specialized training in performing root canal therapy.)What causes pulpal nerve
damage?
The most common causes of pulpal nerve damage are:
- physical irritation -
generally brought on by aggressive tooth decay
(cavity) reaching down to the nerve or through
deep fillings, which allows harmful bacteria to
reach the nerve resulting in infection and decay
- trauma - a blow to a
tooth or the jaw can cause damage to sensitive
nerve tissue within the tooth.
What are the
symptoms of pulpal nerve damage?
The following are the most common symptoms of pulpal
nerve damage. However, each individual may experience
symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
- pain in the tooth
when biting down
- tooth pain while
chewing
- oversensitivity of
the teeth with hot or cold drinks
- facial swelling
The symptoms
of pulpal nerve damage may resemble other oral
health conditions. Consult a dentist, or other oral
health specialist, for diagnosis.
Why is root canal
therapy necessary?
Without treatment, the infection of the dental pulp will
spread to the bone around the tooth, making it not longer
able to hold the tooth in place.
What does the root
canal procedure involve?
Treatment begins with the initial removal of the tooth
crown, or top, to allow access to the pulpal tissue. Once
the affected pulpal tissue is exposed, the affected area
is removed. The area surrounding and containing the
pulpal tissue is carefully cleaned, enlarged, and shaped
to provide a clean, bondable surface for filling with a
permanent filler to prohibit any further infection and
discomfort. After filling, a crown is fabricated to
complete the rescue and restoration of the natural tooth.
The procedure is generally spread over several visits to
assure the infected pulp and associated bacteria have
been adequately drained.
Post-operative
care following a root canal:
Once the root canal therapy is completed, there will be
changes to adapt to, including:
- brittleness - a
pulp-less tooth is more brittle than a
non-treated tooth and great care should be used
to avoid fracture and chipping
- discoloration - a
non-vital tooth may become discolored over time,
which can be treated with bleaching. In most
cases, the discoloration poses no threat to the
health of the tooth.
In addition, soft tissue
inflammation may be a source of irritation in the weeks
following surgery. Consult your dentist, or other oral
health specialist, for a treatment approach to help
control any post-operative swelling and discomfort
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