Root Canal Therapy
What Is Root Canal Therapy?
Root Canal Therapy is an important procedure in restorative dentistry that can essentially save teeth from being extracted. Normal fillings can be used when bacteria invade and infect the enamel and dentin layers of the teeth. However, once the infection reaches the innermost layer, known as the pulp, only Root Canal Therapy can save the tooth.
The Root Canal Procedure
The purpose of this procedure is to remove all infected pulp from the dental chambers and replace it with filling material. The pulp contains blood vessels and nerves that provide nourishment and innervation to the tooth, which is why the most common symptoms of a tooth that requires a Root Canal, are sharp, throbbing, radiating pain, often accompanied by swelling.
- The dentist first administers anesthesia to prevent any discomfort or pain during the surgery.
- A hand drill is used to remove the infected portion of the tooth and to expose the canals that lead to the pulp chambers.
- Specialized endodontic instruments, known as the K and H files are then used to clean and shape the chambers. It is important to ensure that every little bit of the infective pulp and bacterial debris is removed to prevent secondary infection.
- The canals are then dried with the help of paper points.
- Finally, endodontic restorative material, known as Gutta Percha, is then used to fill these canals.
Once a tooth has been endodontically treated, it must be covered with a Dental Crown to preserve the remaining structure, protect it from further damage, and to restore its function in the oral cavity.
A Successful Root Canal Therapy
The success of Root Canal Therapy depends upon the stage at which the patient comes in for treatment. It is always better to rush to the clinic when you start experiencing symptoms such as increased sensitivity, bouts of sharp, shooting pain that radiates to the whole jaw or temple, dental pain that aggravates at night, and swelling, instead of attempting to suppress them with medication.
If you have recently spotted a cavity of one of your teeth, that may or may not be giving you trouble at the moment – give us a call and book an appointment today! Our team of restorative specialists will make sure your teeth remain, strong, healthy, and fully functional in your oral cavity for years to come.