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Why do I need root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment can help save your damaged tooth. When the pulp (the soft tissue inside the tooth that contains nerves and blood and lymph vessels) is diseased or injured and unable to repair itself, the pulp dies. The most common cause of pulp death is a fractured tooth or a deep cavity, which can expose the pulp to the bacteria found in saliva. The bacteria cause infection inside the tooth. If the damaged or diseased pulp is not removed, the tooth and surrounding tissues become infected. Without treatment, your tooth could eventually have to be removed. If the problem is caught early enough, however, your dentist can save your tooth using root canal treatment.
If your tooth's nerve chamber becomes infected by decay, root canal treatment is often the only way to save your tooth.
Inside your tooth's hard outer shell is a nourishing pulp of blood vessels, lymph vessels and nerves. The root's canal, allow these vessels and nerves to extend to the bone.
Deep tooth decay, or injury can cause serious damage and infection to the pulps nerves and vessels. Root canal, also known as endodontic, treatment cleans out the infected pulp chamber and canals.
Some indications of the need for root canal treatment may be:
- Spontaneous pain or throbbing.
- Pain while biting or chewing.
- Sensitivity to hot and cold.
- Severe decay or injury that causes an abscess (infection) in the bone surrounding the tooth.
Treatment Procedure
Step 1: After the tooth is anesthetized, an opening is made through the crown into the pulp chamber.
Step 2: The lengths of the roots' canals are determined.
Step 3: Unhealthy pulp is removed. Canals are cleaned, enlarged and shaped using progressively larger endodontic files.
Step 4: Canals are filled and sealed. A metal post may be added for structural support or to retain restorative materials.
Step 5: The tooth is sealed with a tempory filling. Usually a gold or porcelain crown adds further protection.
The material used to fill your root canal will probably last you a lifetime, but eventually the filling or crown may need to be replaced.
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