Once upon a time, if you had a tooth with a
diseased nerve, you'd probably lose that tooth.
Today, with a special dental procedure called a
root canal therapy you may save that tooth.
Inside each tooth is the pulp which provides
nutrients and nerves to the tooth, it runs like
a thread down through the root. When the pulp is
diseased or injured, the pulp tissue dies. If
you don't remove it, your tooth gets infected
and you could lose it. After the dentist removes
the pulp, the root canal is cleaned and sealed
off to protect it. Then your dentist places a
crown over the tooth to help make it stronger.
Frequently asked
Questions
What is root canal treatment?
What is the dental pulp?
What happens if the pulp gets injured?
Why does the pulp need to be removed?
What does treatment involve?
How long will the restored tooth last?
What is 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.
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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?
An abscessed (infected) tooth
caused by tooth decay. 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.
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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.
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What
does 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.
Here's how your tooth is
saved through treatment:
- An opening is made through the crown
of the tooth into the pulp chamber.
- The pulp is then removed. The root
canal(s) is cleaned and shaped to a form
that can be filled.
- Medications may be put in the pulp
chamber and root canal(s) to help get
rid of germs and prevent infection.
- 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.
- The pulp chamber and root canals are
filled and sealed.
- The temporary filling is removed and
the pulp chamber and root canal(s) are
cleaned and filled.
- In 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.
- The crown of the tooth is then
restored.
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How
long will the restored tooth last?
Your restored tooth could
last a lifetime, if you continue to care for
your teeth and gums. However, regular
checkups are necessary. As long as the
root(s) of a treated tooth are nourished by
the tissues around it, your tooth will
remain healthy.
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