What You Should Know About Root Canals
by
Gen Wright
Most people dread going to the dentist and hearing the words “root canal.” While the procedure used to be more tedious and possibly painful, modern dentistry has made them more bearable. Pain management techniques have gotten more effective and patients can even be put to sleep if they are that anxious. Seventy-five percent of people report having little to no discomfort during the procedure. The remaining twenty-five percent are probably feeling pain and discomfort from the actual root canal infection, not the procedure itself. Before the root canal procedure gained acceptance, the only other option was tooth extraction, which causes even more problems with your teeth.
What is a root canal?
“Root canal” is the term used to describe the natural cavity within the center of the tooth. The pulp or pulp chamber is the soft area within the root canal. All teeth have between 1 and 4 root canals where the nerve lies. The function of the tooth’s nerve is not very important to a tooth after it has erupted through the gums. Its only function is so provide the sensation of hot and cold.
The root canal treatment is a procedure used to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or infected. The first indication that you might need a root canal is sensitivity and pain. During the procedure, the nerve and pulp are removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. This stops the spread of infection and restores the healthy portion of the tooth.
The procedure can take anywhere from 1 to 3 visits. A small hole is drilled through the top of the tooth and into the inner chamber to remove the diseased pulp during the first visit. The canals are then disinfected and cleaned and filled with an elastic material and medication to prevent infection. Another visit is necessary if the hole needs to be sealed with a permanent crown.
Why root canal?
Root canals have a very high rate of success. The only other alternative besides ignoring the problem all together and letting infection spread is having the tooth extracted. This means that you would then have to look into a bridge, implant or removable denture to replace the missing tooth. It is important to replace the missing tooth to restore chewing function and prevent the other teeth from shifting. If a decayed tooth that needs a root canal goes untreated, it can cause an abscessed tooth. This is a pus-filled pocket that forms at the end of the roots of a tooth and is caused when infection spreads all the way past the ends of the roots of a tooth. I addition to an abscess, an infection can also cause swelling to the areas of the face, neck or head, bone loss and
drainage problems
How to prevent a root canal procedure
The reason why the nerve and pulp of a tooth get infected is because of deep decay. This decay is caused by poor oral hygiene habits. Repeated dental procedures on a tooth or large filling can also result in the need for a root canal. Brushing 2-3 times a day as well as flossing and scheduling regular dentist visits are the best ways to prevent the need for a root canal.
To learn more about root canals and other dental procedures, contact your Glendale, AZ dentist today.
Dr. Yati Yadav, DDS, FAGD,
Glendale, AZ dentist
, Dr. Ben Koolick, DDS and the Your Family Dentist team are committed to making patients smile. Since opening in February of 2004, Your Family Dentist, PC has been providing high quality dental care, such as
dental implants Peoria
, in a state-of-the-art facility to patients of all ages.
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