|
|
|
|
|
ROOT
CANAL THERAPY
|
|
|
Protect
and keep a fractured, sick or infected tooth.
The Problem:
|
|
|
|
Infected
or sick tooth due to decay, fracture or injury
Chronic tooth pain from contact with hot and cold liquids
Pain from pressure or biting down
Danger of infection spreading
|
|
The
Solution:
|
|
|
Inside
each tooth is a pulp chamber that contains the nerves and blood supply for
the tooth. When the pulp becomes infected due to decay, fracture or injury
to the tooth, the pulp must be removed from the center of the tooth and
the canals of each root. Once the infected pulp is removed, the remaining
chamber is filled with a rubber-based material to seal it off. All teeth
that have had root canal therapy must be protected with a tooth-like
artificial covering known as a crown (see crown section.) This is because
teeth that have had the pulp removed are more susceptible to fracture.
Most patients report that having root canal treatment today is as
unremarkable as having a cavity filled.
|
|
|
Advantages:
|
|
|
|
Root
canal therapy is an excellent way to save a tooth that would otherwise die
and need to be removed.
|
|
|
Disadvantages:
|
|
|
|
If
a tooth is sick, there are no disadvantages to root canal therapy. On rare
occasions, however, root canal therapy may need to be redone to ensure that
all of the infection has been removed.
|
|
|
Alternatives:
|
|
|
|
The
only real alternative is to remove the sick tooth. However, this will
require a dental implant or bridge to fill the empty space and prevent the
shifting of surrounding teeth. These solutions will ultimately cost more
than the root canal therapy, and they will never equal the quality of
keeping your natural tooth.
|
|
|
|
|
|
ROOT
CANAL TREATMENT PROCEDURE
|
|
|
|
Step
1
|
|
Step
2
|
|
Step
3
|
|
Step
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
After
the tooth is anesthetized, an opening is made through the top of the tooth
into the pulp chamber
|
|
Unhealthy
pulp is removed using small files. The canals are disinfected and shaped
during this step
|
|
Canals
are filled and sealed with a rubber like material and the opening through
the top of the tooth is filled
|
|
A
gold or porcelain crown adds further protection
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
|
|
|
|
|
|
Why
is there a need for endodontic treatment?
|
|
|
|
Sometimes
the pulp inside your tooth becomes inflamed or infected. This can be caused
by deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth, a crack or chip in
the tooth, or a blow to the tooth.
|
|
|
What
are the signs of needing endodontic treatment?
|
|
|
|
Signs
to look for include pain, prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold,
discoloration of the tooth, and swelling and tenderness in the nearby gums.
But sometimes, there are no symptoms.
|
|
|
How
does endodontic treatment save the tooth?
|
|
|
|
The
dentist removes the inflamed or infected pulp, carefully cleans and shapes
the inside of the tooth, then fills and seals the space. Afterwards, a crown
or other restoration will be made for the tooth to protect it and restore it
to full function. The alternative is having the tooth extracted and replaced
with a bridge, implant, or removable partial denture to restore chewing
function and prevent adjacent teeth from shifting.
|
|
|
Will
I feel pain during or after the procedure?
|
|
|
|
While
many patients may be in great pain before having root canal treatment, most
report that the pain is relieved by the procedure and that they are
comfortable during the procedure. The dentist uses local anesthetics, like
those used when you have a cavity filled, and most patients return to their
normal activities the next day. For the first few days after treatment, the
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.
|
|
|
How
much will the procedure cost?
|
|
|
|
The
cost varies depending on how severe the problem is and which tooth is
affected. Most cases are between $400 and $800 (not including a filling or
crown). Most dental insurance policies cover a portion of endodontic
treatment.
|
|
|
Will
the tooth need any special care or additional treatment?
|
|
|
|
You
should not chew or bite on the treated tooth until you have had it fully
restored. Otherwise, just practice good oral hygiene - brushing, flossing
and regular checkups and cleanings. Endodontically treated teeth can last
for many years, even a lifetime.
|
|
|
What
causes an endodontically treated tooth to need additional treatment?
|
|
|
|
New
trauma, deep decay, or a loose, cracked or broken filling can cause new
infection in your tooth. In some cases, the dentist may discover very narrow
or curved canals that could not be treated during the initial procedure.
Sometimes a treated tooth may need endodontic surgery to be saved.
|
|
|
What
is endodontic surgery?
|
|
|
|
The
most common endodontic surgical procedure is an apicoectomy or root-end
resection. It is used to relieve inflammation or infection in the bony area
around the end of your tooth that persists after endodontic treatment. The
dentist opens the gum tissue and removes the infected tissue and may remove
the very end of the root. A small filling may be placed to seal the root
canal.
|
|
|
|
