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The goal of
root canal treatment is
saving the tooth!
In the past injured or diseased
teeth often had to be removed. Today, they often can be saved
through endodontic or root canal treatment.
What is the
pulp?
A root canal treatment
generally involves the removal and replacement of a tooth's pulp.
The pulp is soft tissue containing blood vessels, nerves and connective
tissue.
 | The pulp is found in a canal that runs through the
center of the hard tissue on the inside of the tooth (the dentin)
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| The pulp extends from the pulp chamber in the crown
down through the root canal to the top of the root in the jawbone.
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| A tooth has only one pulp chamber but may have more
than one root and several root canals.
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| If the pulp becomes damaged through injury or
disease and cannot repair itself, bacteria may leak into the pulp
causing the pulp to die. Damaged or dead pulp causes increased
blood flow and cellular activity and the pressure cannot be relieved
from inside the tooth.
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| If a root canal procedure is not performed an
abscess can form at the tip of the root
and cause considerable pain. This pain can be felt when biting
down, chewing on it and eating hot or cold food or
drinks.
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Why do I need root canal therapy?
Because the tooth will not heal by itself. Without
treatment:
| Infection will spread |
| The bone around the tooth will begin to
break down |
| The tooth may fall-out.
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Root canal therapy
or pulpectomy consists of making a small hole in the tooth and
then removing the tiny dead nerves, blood vessels and debris
from each canal
in the tooth. The roots are then shaped, disinfected and
filled with an inert material.
The pain will usually
worsen
until you are forced to seek emergency dental attention. The only
alternative is usually an extraction of the tooth, which can cause
surrounding teeth to shift, resulting in a bad bite.
Though an extraction is cheaper, the space left behind will
require an implant or a bridge, which can be more expensive than
root canal therapy.
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It's always best to
keep your original teeth
What to
expect:
At most offices the following
procedure would be done in TWO appointments however at our
office it is now possible to have the procedure done in ONLY
ONE APPOINTMENT! This has the advantage of only
being NUMBED ONCE and means missing LESS work, school or
family time.
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LightSpeed~ combined science,
engineering and research in developing this endodontic
instrument that is now being used at our office. LightSpeed
instrumentation is conservative. It removes
sufficient decayed dentin to clean and shape without removing
health tooth structure which weakens the root. This
approach reduces the risk of future root fracture.
ROOT CANAL TREATMENT WITHOUT A CROWN
IS NOT COMPLETE AND COULD CAUSE FURTHER DAMAGE AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF THE TOOTH!
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Root Canal
Video
Click here to view video of root
canal:
Root Canal Video
This video shows the procedure
being done.
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What are the
risks and
complications?
More than 70-90 percent of root canal treatments are successful.
However, sometimes a case needs to be redone due to diseased
canal offshoots that went undetected, some of the inert filling
does not completely seal off the roots
from bacteria, the tooth is damaged during
the procedure (perforation), or the tooth
fractures between or within the roots, or the fracturing of a canal
filing instrument used-both of which rarely occur. Occasionally,
root canal therapy will fail altogether
because
re-treatment range
of 60% to 65% successful.
A
root canal is more likely to fail if a
permanent filling or crown is not placed
to protect the tooth. A root
canal can fail within days, weeks, months
or even many years after the procedure has
been completed and will be marked by a return of
pain. If you need retreatment of a root canal we will refer you
too: Endodontic
Associates of Fort Collins
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What happens after
treatment?
Natural tissue inflammation may cause discomfort for a few
days, which can be controlled by an over-the-counter analgesic.
A follow-up exam can monitor tissue healing. Also, if the
filling is large a crown may be needed
to protect the tooth from breaking.
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The rest is up to you!
The restored tooth can remain healthy
as long as its roots are nourished by the surrounding tissues and it
received good oral care.
From this point on,
brush and floss regularly, avoid chewing hard foods on the
treated tooth, and see your dentist
regularly.
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Source: Academy of General Dentist and American Dental
Association.
www.rxroots.com
~We have NO financial
interest in this company.
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