DENTAL
PROCEDURES Root Canals
What Exactly Is a Root
Canal?
A
root canal is a dental procedure that is used to remove diseased pulp tissue
from the interior
of a tooth. The narrow channels beneath the pulp chamber in the inner part of
the tooth are hollowed out and cleaned, and the roots are filed with flexible
nickel titanium files.
A
tooth is made up of three main components: a hard protective shell referred to
as enamel,
a softer and sensitive middle layer referred to as dentin and a soft tissue
inner layer referred
to as dental pulp. Dental pulp is composed of nerve tissue, lymph tissue
and blood vessels,
and is considered to be the vital part of a tooth. If dental pulp is
sufficiently traumatized —
whether by exposure to oral bacteria via deep dental caries, a fracture in
the tooth that enters
the pulp or a forceful blow to the face — the tooth begins to die and root
canal therapy is often
required in order to prevent or eliminate infection and prevent tooth
loss.
A
root canal procedure involves tooth disinfection and the removal of all debris
(nerve tissue, lymph tissue, blood tissue, bacteria and infection) from the
coronal pulp chamber and its associated canals. Once an affected tooth's canals
are sufficiently cleansed and shaped, they
are filled with materials designed to prevent pain and infection from
recurring.
Root
Canal Signs
Certain
signs may indicate that you have a diseased tooth or infected nerve and therefore
may need a root canal. These signs include:
.
Minimal to severe pain.
. Tooth discoloration.
. Swelling and irritation in the surrounding gum tissue.
. Signs of infection visible on a radiograph.
. Dentists typically recommend a root canal in such situations to
save the affected tooth
and preserve its functionality.
Why Are
the Associated Toothaches So Painful?
Nerve
fibers, blood, and lymph tissues are housed in the root canals. Located inside
each
tooth is a pulp chamber that funnels into those root canals.
A
tooth can become inflamed or infected for several reasons, including severe
tooth decay
or a crack or chip in the tooth. Failing restorations such as dental fillings
and dental crowns
can foster bacterial leakage into the dental pulp. Once infected, the dental
pulp begins to die
and the body's inflammatory responses set it. The combination of infection and
inflammation
can cause significant pain. The end result is a toothache.
In
cases where tooth extraction is the only solution, the missing tooth may be
replaced with
a dental implant or dental bridge to maintain functionality. By replacing the
missing tooth, a
proper bite is maintained and the surrounding teeth are prevented from
shifting. Because a
severe infection can be very dangerous, it is important to receive a
professional evaluation
by a dentist who can look deeper into the cause of a toothache. If an infection
spreads beyond
the jaw to the head and neck, then more extensive medical treatment, including
hospitalization,
may be required.
For
more information visit our FAQ page.