Root Canal

If you need to have the inside of your tooth treated to repair damage or ‘fix’ a cavity in its later stages, you may want to consider having a root canal.

While this is probably one of the most feared oral procedures, the ‘surgery’ really isn’t all that painful if it is done at the start of your tooth problem.

Unfortunately, it rarely is, which is why so many horror stories exist around root canals.

The problem occurs when the tooth’s nerve becomes very inflammed or dies.

This is normally due to trauma – physical injury, hot, cold and/or bacterial assault (i.e decay).

When the nerve is inflamed or infected like this, the pain can be excruciating.

And if infection is present – as it normally is – local anesthesia is unlikely to be completely effective.

In other words, there is normally still pain during the procedure.

At least until the nerve can be removed.

Which is why root canals have such a bad reputation.

As far as the procedure itself, it’s actually fairly similar to having a filling inserted or replaced.

During a root canal, the inner aspect of your tooth is treated, which is commonly referred to as pulp tissue, or the tooth nerve.

When you get a root canal, the pulp – nerve fibers, tiny blood vessels and connective tissue – is removed as completely as possible.

Normally a small hole is drilled in the top of the tooth to gain access to the pulp.

Then, instruments are inserted to remove all the tissue from within.

Disinfectants are flushed into the pulp chamber and as much diseased tissue as possible is removed.

The next step involves expanding, shaping and smoothing the actual root canals in preparation for filling.

Depending on the tooth, there may be one root canal or there may be four.

Next, more flushing and drying.

Finally, the filling material is inserted.

This is normally a semi-plastic material called gutta percha that is either heated and extruded into the canal or inserted in slender cones one by one into the root canal until it is filled.

Finally, the permanant filling is placed to seal up the hole drilled to do the root canal.

Often, a metallic crown is recommended for the tooth.

This is because a tooth that has had a root canal becomes more brittle over time.

Why?

Because the tooth itself is no longer alive.

That’s right, it’s still held in place by the gums and bone, but there is no longer any nerve or blood supply going to the tooth.

And that’s why so many teeth with root canals also have crowns – they are brittle and would benefit from the structural strength of a crown.

Unlike the old days when your only alternative to a root canal was to have the tooth extracted and maybe replaced by a bridge, these days you have another option.

Due to the high failure rate of root canals, as well as the history of post-op abscesses, bone infections, cavitations and recurrent treatment, dental implants are quickly coming to the fore as the better alternative.

So, if your dentist says you need a root canal, you may want to check into a dental implant instead.

At least you now have the option.

For more information on root canal therapy and dental implants, browse through our other articles on the subject or visit www.ada.org.

****************************************************

Las Vegas Valley residents who would like additional insider facts and tips, please download our new, Free Dental Guide.

This comprehensive guide teaches you what to look for and what questions to ask when “shopping” for a new dentist here in the Las Vegas valley.

The author has over 23 years of experience in dentistry.  You’ll learn things only the real insiders know, making you a truly informed consumer.

Limited time offer – $19.95 value.

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!