Root Canal Treatment
Is tooth pain affecting your daily life?
Is tooth pain affecting your daily life?
If your tooth’s nerve chamber becomes infected by decay, or damaged by trauma, root canal treatment is often the only way to save your tooth.
Inside the hard outer shell of each tooth is a specialized area called the pulp or nerve chamber. The pulp chamber contains a system of blood vessels, lymph vessels and nerves, the pulp, which enter from the bone through the root canals. This system provides nourishment for the cells within the tooth.
Deep tooth decay or other injuries can cause damage to or infection of the tooth pulp. In a root canal or endodontic treatment, the dentist removes the damaged or infected pulp and replaces it with a special filler which helps maintain the remaining tooth structure.
Some indications of the need for root canal treatment may be:
- Spontaneous pain or throbbing while biting.
- Sensitivity to hot and cold foods.
- Severe decay or an injury that creates an abscess (infection) in the bone.
The Procedure
Step 1
After the tooth is anaesthetized, an opening is made through the crown into the pulp chamber.
Step 2
The length of the root canals is determined.
Step 3
The unhealthy pulp is removed. Canals are cleaned, enlarged and shaped.
Step 4
Canals are filled and sealed. A post may be added for structural support or to retain restorative materials.
Step 5
The tooth is sealed with a temporary filling. Usually a gold or porcelain crown adds further protection.
The material used to fill your root canal will probably last you a lifetime, but eventually the filling or crown may need to be replaced.
