When
the pulp is diseased or injured, the pulp
tissue dies. If you don't remove it, your
tooth gets infected and you could lose it.
After the dentist removes the pulpal tissue
which includes the nerve and blood vessels,
the root canal is cleaned and sealed off to
protect it. Then your dentist places a crown
over the tooth to help make it stronger.
Most of the time, a root canal is a relatively
simple procedure with little or no discomfort
involving one to three visits. Best of all,
it can save your tooth and your smile! Your
dentist uses root canal treatment to find
the cause and then treat problems of the tooth's
soft core (the dental pulp). Years ago, teeth
with diseased or injured pulps were removed.
Today, root canal treatment has given dentists
a safe way of saving teeth.
An
abscessed (infected) can be caused by tooth
decay. When the pulp is diseased or injured
and can't repair itself, it dies. The most
common cause of pulp death is a cracked
tooth or a deep cavity. Both of these problems
can let germs (bacteria) enter the pulp.
Germs can cause an infection inside the
tooth. Left without treatment, pus builds
up at the root tip, in the jawbone, forming
a "pus-pocket" called an abscess.
An abscess can cause damage to the bone
around the teeth.
Treatment often involves from one to three
visits. During treatment, your general dentist
or endodontist (a dentist who specializes
in problems of the pulp) removes the diseased
pulp. The pulp chamber and root canal(s)
of the tooth are then cleaned and sealed.
Here's how your tooth is saved through
treatment:
1.
An opening is made through the crown of
the tooth into the pulp chamber.
The pulp is then removed. The root canal(s)
is cleaned and shaped to a form that
can be filled.In
some cases, your dentist may fill the canal
the same day. However, oftenmedications
is put in the pulp chamber and root canal(s)
to help get rid of germs and prevent infection.
A temporary filling will be placed in the
crown opening to protect the tooth between
dental visits. Your dentist may leave the
tooth open for a few days to drain. You
might also be given medicine to help control
infection that may have spread beyond the
tooth.
2.
On the next visit the temporary filling
is removed and the pulp chamber and root
canal(s) are cleaned and the pulp chamber
and root canals are filled and sealed.
3. In the final step, a gold or porcelain
crown is usually placed over the tooth.
If
an endodontist performs the treatment, he
or she will recommend that you return to
your family dentist for this final step.
The crown of the tooth is then restored.
