Extensive tooth damage involving the pulp may be challenging for dentists to treat with regular dental fillings. Seeping infection, persistent pain, and swelling can be quite distressing requiring immediate dental intervention through extensive procedures like root canal treatment.
The highly skilled dentist in Plymouth, MA offers a comprehensive approach to severe tooth decay with pulpal involvement through root canal treatment. Read on to explore everything about root canal treatment.
Understanding root canal treatment
Root canal therapy (RCT) is a comprehensive endodontic procedure that aids in restoring a severely damaged or infected tooth. RCT involves the removal of the infected pulp (the central part of the tooth that consists of nerves and blood vessels) and refilling the root canals with a biocompatible material. Finally, the tooth is sealed permanently with a customized dental crown.
Being an ideal candidate for root canal treatment
Your dentist may recommend root canal therapy to treat a wide range of dental problems. You are an ideal candidate if you have:
- Severely decayed teeth
- Trauma or injury to the teeth
- Infection that may have developed near the root tip
- Pus discharging abscess near the tooth
- Healthy gums
- Healthy bone thickness to anchor the teeth
- Undergone treatment failure through regular dental fillings
| Root canals are narrow chambers present within the roots of a tooth. It consists of a pulp chamber with several blood vessels and nerves. |
Signs that deem root canal therapy necessary
Certain warning signs and symptoms make it necessary for you to undergo root canal therapy, such as:
- Excruciating, persistent tooth pain that doesn’t go away
- Pain radiating to the ear, jaws, or neck
- Extreme sensitivity to heat and cold foods
- An abscess on your gums with or without pus discharge
- Swollen and tender jaw
- Tooth discoloration
- Pain on application of pressure (while chewing or biting)
- Chipped or cracked teeth
- Loose/mobile teeth
Root canal therapy- the procedure involved
Root canal therapy is a safe and simple procedure involving the following steps:
- Tooth isolation with rubber dam that helps in moisture control
- Administration of local anesthesia to numb the affected tooth and surrounding gums
- Access opening by drilling a hole using ultrasonic instruments in the tooth crown
- Pulp removal through rotary files
- Shaping the root canals through a process called biomechanical preparation
- Cleaning and disinfecting the root canals
- Filling the empty canals with a flexible, biocompatible material called gutta-percha
- Sealing the tooth with a temporary filling material to prevent reinfection
- Placing a final restoration in the form of a dental crown
Often pulp infection is followed by painful symptoms that can be distressing. But with advanced technology in the field of dentistry, you can permanently restore the affected tooth with revolutionary procedures like root canal therapy. This can enhance your oral form, function, and aesthetics for a complete rejuvenation.
