Dental Health and Root Canals
What is a Root Canal?
A root canal is a treatment that is used to repair & save a tooth that is badly decayed or infected. During a regular root canal procedure, the nerve and pulp in the teeth are removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. Without proper treatment, the tissue surrounding the tooth will become infected and abscesses might form.
'Root canal' is the term that is used to describe the natural cavity in the center of a tooth. The pulp or pulp chamber is a soft area within the root canal. The tooth's nerve endings lie within the root canal.
A tooth's nerve isn't vitally important to it's health & function after the tooth emerges through the gums. Its only function is sensory -- providing the sensation of hot or cold. The presence or absence of this nerve does not affect the day-to-day functioning of a tooth.
Why Does Tooth Pulp Need to Be Removed?
When a tooth's nerve tissue or pulp is damaged, it breaks down and bacteria begin to multiply within the pulp chamber. The bacteria and other decayed debris can cause an infection or abscessed tooth. An abscess is a pus-filled pocket that forms at the end of the roots of the tooth. An abscess occurs when the infection spreads all the way past the ends of the roots of the tooth. In addition to an abscess, an infection in the root canal of a tooth can cause:
Swelling that may spread to other areas of the face, neck, or head Bone loss around the tip of the root Drainage problems extending outward from the root. A hole can occur through the side of the tooth with drainage into the gums or through the cheek with drainage into the skin.
What Damages a Tooth's Nerve and Pulp in the First Place?
A tooth's nerve and pulp can become irritated, inflamed, and infected due to deep decay, repeated dental procedures on a tooth, and/or large fillings, a crack or chip in the tooth.
What Are the Signs That a Root Canal Is Needed?
Sometimes no symptoms are present; however, signs you may need a root canal include:
Severe toothache pain upon chewing or application of pressure. Prolonged sensitivity/pain to heat or cold temperatures (after the hot or cold has been removed)Discoloration (a darkening) of the tooth. Swelling and tenderness in the nearby gums. A persistent or recurring pimple on the gums
What Happens During a Root Canal?
A root canal requires one or more office visits and can be performed by a dentist or endodontist. An endodontist is a dentist who specializes in the causes, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and injuries of the human dental pulp or the nerve of the tooth. The choice of which type of dentist to use depends to some degree on the difficulty of the root canal procedure needed in your particular tooth and the general dentist's comfort level in working on your tooth. Your dentist will discuss who might be best suited to perform the work in your particular case.