Root Canal
ROOT CANAL
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A ROOT CANAL
- A severe toothache
- Chronic Pain upon chewing or application of pressure
- Prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold
- Dark discoloration of the tooth
- Swelling and tenderness in the nearby gums
WHEN SHOULD A ROOT CANAL BE PERFORMED?
Naturally,
tooth decay always leads toward the pulp (nerves and blood vessels) of the
tooth. When a tooth has untreated decay for long time, the decay (infected
tooth structure) grows bigger and infects the pulp inside the tooth canal(s).
The infection creates an inflammation (swelling of the pulp) of the pulp and
pain begins. An abscess (a bump in the gum) soon follows with an increase in
pain.
ROOT CANAL TREATMENT
An access hole is made through the crown of the tooth to reach the canal in the root and the nerve is removed with dental files and the now empty canal is shaped and cleansed with dental solution to remove all debris and infection. Canal is filled with a naturally occurring pink rubbery material called Gutta Purcha. Crown part of the tooth is filled with a regular dental filling. Almost all root canal treated teeth need full coverage crowns to restore the integrity of the teeth. Most root canal treated teeth that receive no crowns, end up cracking (splitting in half) resulting in teeth extraction.
ANOTHER ABSCESS OR INFECTION ON THE SAME TOOTH?
Sometimes
an infection may reappear after a root canal treatment. Inside the root of the
tooth, each nerve canal has small offshoots where bacteria can hide and be
missed during the first treatment. In such case, a second procedure may be
needed to retreat the canals to eliminate as much of the residual infection as
possible. The canal is again filled and tightly sealed. The dentist may prescribe
antibiotics both before and after the procedure to ensure the body is able to
fight off any infection that may remain.
HOW LONG IS THE RECOVERY PERIOD FOR A ROOT CANAL?
The healing process might take two to three weeks after a root canal treatment. The doctor may choose to place a temporary cap over the tooth for a few weeks to make sure that no symptoms are present. Once the dentist is satisfied with the healing results, build up (filling) of the tooth structure is completed and the permanent crown is placed, sealing out any bacteria that may lead to infection and restoring the integrity of the tooth for proper function. It is important to follow the doctor's post-op instructions during the entire healing process. Medication maybe prescribed after the procedure.
