| Root Canal Treatment or
Endodontic Treatment
or Endodontic
Procedure is the procedure involves removing inflamed or damaged tissue from inside a
tooth and cleaning, filling and sealing the remaining space. |
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| Your dentist uses root canal
treatment to find the cause and then treat problems of the tooth's soft
core (the dental pulp). The
dental pulp is the soft tissue that contains nerves, blood vessels and
connective tissue. It lies within the tooth and extends from the crown
of the tooth to the tip of the root in the bone of the jaws.
Years ago, teeth with diseased or
injured pulps were removed. Today, root canal treatment has given
dentists a safe way of saving teeth.
When the infected or injured pulp is not removed,
pain
(toothache)
or lead to an abscess
and swelling can result. Certain byproducts of the infection can
injure your jaw bones. Without treatment, your tooth may have to be
extracted or removed. |
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Indication for
Endodontic Treatment
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Endodontic treatment is necessary when the pulp, the soft tissue inside
the root canal, becomes inflamed or infected when germs
(bacteria) enter the pulp:
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repeated dental procedures on the tooth
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a crack or chip in the tooth
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an injury to a tooth may cause pulp damage even if the tooth has no
visible chips or cracks
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tenderness to touch and chewing
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swelling, drainage and tenderness in the lymph nodes as well as
nearby bone and gingival tissues
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sometimes, however, there are no symptoms
- 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
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Steps of Endodontic Procedure
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Many endodontic procedures are performed to relieve the pain
of toothaches caused by pulp inflammation or infection. With
modern techniques and anesthetics, most patients report that
they are comfortable during the procedure.
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Endodontic treatment can often be performed in one or two visits and
involves the following steps: |
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1. The endodontist examines and x-rays the tooth, then administers
local anesthetic. After the tooth is numb, the endodontist places a
small protective sheet called a “dental dam” over the area to isolate
the tooth and keep it clean and free of saliva during the procedure. |
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2. The endodontist makes an
opening in the crown of the tooth. Very small instruments are used to
clean the pulp from the pulp chamber and root canals and to shape the
space for filling. |
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3. After the space is
cleaned and shaped, the endodontist fills the root canals with a
biocompatible material, usually a rubber-like material called
“gutta-percha.” The gutta-percha is placed with an adhesive cement to
ensure complete sealing of the root canals. In most cases, a temporary
filling is placed to close the opening. |
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Instructions After Endodontic Treatment
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1. You should not chew firm or bite hard on the treated tooth until you have had
it restored by your dentist. The unrestored tooth is susceptible to
fracture, so you should see your dentist for a full restoration as soon
as possible. |
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2. You need only practice
good oral hygiene, including brushing,
flossing, and regular checkups and cleanings. |
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| 3.
In a few cases, a tooth that has undergone endodontic treatment
does not heal or the pain continues. |
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Complications
after Root Canal Treatment
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For the first few days after
treatment, your tooth may feel sensitive, especially if there
was pain or infection before the procedure. This discomfort can
be relieved with over-the-counter or prescription medications.
Follow your endodontist’s instructions carefully.
Your tooth may continue to feel slightly different from your
other teeth for some time after your endodontic treatment is
completed. However, if you have
severe pain or pressure or pain
that lasts more than a few days, call your endodontist. |
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New trauma, deep decay, or a loose, cracked or broken filling can
cause new infection in your tooth. In some cases, the endodontist may
discover additional very narrow or curved canals that could not be
treated during the initial procedure. |
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Occasionally, the tooth may become painful or diseased months or even
years after successful treatment. Often when this occurs, redoing the endodontic procedure can save the
tooth. |
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Most teeth can be treated. Rarely, a tooth can’t be saved
because the root canals are not accessible, the root is severely
fractured, the tooth doesn’t have adequate bone support, or the tooth
cannot be restored. However, advances in endodontics are making it
possible to save teeth that even a few years ago would have been lost.
When endodontic treatment is not effective, endodontic surgery may be
able to save the tooth. |
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Final Restorations of the Tooth
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Most endodontically treated teeth last as long as other natural teeth. |
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| In the final step,
a gold or porcelain
crown is usually placed over the tooth. |
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After the last visit
with your endodontist, you must return to your dentist to have
a filling,
dental crown,
dental bridge
or other restoration placed on the tooth to protect and restore it to
full function. |
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The temporary filling will be
removed by your dentist before the tooth is restored. |
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If the tooth lacks sufficient
structure to hold the restoration in place, your dentist
may place a post inside the tooth. |
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Generally, endodontic treatment and restoration of the natural tooth
are less expensive than the alternative of having the tooth extracted.
An extracted tooth must be replaced with a
dental bridge or
dental implant to restore
chewing function and prevent adjacent teeth from shifting. These
procedures tend to cost more than endodontic treatment and appropriate
restoration. With root canal treatment you save your natural teeth and
money. |
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Contact Dentist |
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| Looking forward to hearing from
you Aleksandr
V. Melekhin, DDS
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Return from Root Canal
to Philadelphia Dentist |
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