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Root Canals
What is a root canal
treatment?
Your dentist uses
root canal treatment to find the cause and then treat problems of
the tooth's soft core (the dental pulp). Years ago, teeth with
diseased or injured pulps were removed. Today, root canal
treatment has given dentists a safe way of saving teeth.
Quality Low Cost Root
Canals
Your teeth are meant
to last a lifetime. Even if one of your teeth becomes injured or
diseased, it often can be saved through root canal (endodontic)
treatment. To help you understand this procedure, we have
answered some often asked questions about this treatment.
What is the dental pulp?
The 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.
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What happens if the pulp gets injured?
When the pulp is diseased or injured and can't
repair itself, it dies. The most common cause of pulp death is
a cracked tooth or a deep cavity. Both of these problems can
let germs (bacteria) enter the pulp. Germs can cause an
infection inside the tooth. 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.
Why does the pulp need to be removed?
When the infected pulp is not removed, pain and
swelling can result. Certain byproducts of the infection can
injure your jaw bones. Without treatment, your tooth may have to
be removed.
What does a
treatment involve?
Treatment often involves from one to three visits. During
treatment, your general dentist or endodontist (a dentist who
specializes in problems of the pulp) removes the diseased pulp.
The pulp chamber and root canal's) of the tooth are then cleaned
and sealed.
1.
First, an opening is made through the crown of the tooth. An
opening is made through the crown of the tooth into the pulp
chamber.
2. The pulp is then removed. The root canal's) is cleaned
and shaped to a form that can be filled. The pulp is removed, and the
root canals are cleaned, enlarged and shaped.
3. Medications may be put in the pulp chamber and root canal's) to help
get rid of germs and prevent infection.
4.
A temporary filling will be placed in the crown opening to
protect the tooth between dental visits. Your dentist
may leave the tooth open for a few days to drain. You might
also be given medicine to help control infection that may have
spread beyond the tooth.
5. The temporary filling is removed and the pulp chamber and
root canal's) are cleaned and filled.
6. the final step, a gold or porcelain crown is usually placed over the
tooth. If an endodontist performs the treatment, he or she will recommend that you
return to your family dentist for this final step.
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