Root Canal Treatment – Endodontics

A root canal (or endodontic treatment) is necessary when the innermost part of your tooth, called dental pulp, becomes severely infected. This infection can cause severe pain, swelling or a loose tooth.

The treatment itself is relatively painless and involves making the area numb and creating an opening in the tooth. The infected tissue is then removed and the tooth sealed with a permanent filling or a crown.

What is a root canal?

Although our teeth look hard and solid, they have a softer inner core known as the pulp. This can become irritated, inflamed or infected for various reasons, including deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the same tooth, large fillings, cracks or trauma to the mouth from sports. If left untreated, the pulp can die and the only option is to remove it.

Root canal treatment is performed under local anesthetic, which numbs the affected area. The dentist will put a rubber sheet (called a dam) around the infected tooth to isolate it from saliva during treatment. Once the infected tissue is removed, the canal is cleaned, disinfected, shaped and filled with a rubber compound called gutta percha. The tooth is then sealed with a permanent filling or crown.

A root canal is a successful procedure for most patients. But it is important to avoid chewing on the treated tooth until you have a permanent filling and crown in place, as this could cause the tooth to break or dislodge. Also, it is important to practice good oral hygiene and visit your endodontist for regular checkups.

Root canal treatment

Root canal treatment, also known as endodontic treatment, saves damaged teeth by removing inflamed tooth pulp. This treatment is often painless and doesnt take very long to complete. It is performed under local anesthesia. The numbness should wear off after an hour or so, but it may take longer.

A spongy material called pulp contains a tooths nerve tissue, blood vessels, and connective tissue. The pulp resides inside the crown and roots of a tooth. If the pulp is inflamed or infected, it causes pain and swelling. Infections can spread to the surrounding bone and gum tissues, causing additional problems.

A root canal removes injured or infected pulp, cleans and disinfects the area, and seals the canals to prevent future infections. A dentist or endodontist performs a root canal treatment Bowling Green KY, which usually takes one to three appointments. The success rate for this dental procedure is high, and a successfully treated tooth can last a lifetime with proper oral hygiene.

Endodontic treatment

A root canal is a dental procedure where inflamed or infected tooth pulp tissue is removed, and the inside cavity of the tooth is thoroughly cleaned, disinfected, filled, and sealed. A filling or crown is then placed on the tooth to restore it to full function and prevent future infection.

A tooth can need a root canal treatment for a variety of reasons, such as severe pain or swelling of the tooth or gums, prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold liquids or foods, or a cracked or chipped tooth. When left untreated, the infected or damaged tooth may eventually die and cause severe problems with nearby teeth.

During the treatment, your dentist will administer local anesthesia to keep you comfortable. Once the area is completely numb, an opening will be made in your tooth and the infected or damaged pulp tissue will be removed. The space will be shaped, cleaned, and filled with gutta-percha (a rubber-like material), and the tooth will be sealed.

Endodontists

Over the years root canals have developed a bad reputation, but they are actually a painless dental procedure that saves teeth. A root canal is part of a dental specialty called endodontics, which treats the dental pulp (the center of the tooth that contains blood vessels and nerves).

An endodontist spends two to three additional years in residency after graduating from dental school, and they specialize in difficult and complex root canal treatment Bowling Green KY procedures. They have a unique understanding of how to treat infected teeth, and they focus on patient comfort.

During a root canal, a local anesthetic is used to numb the area. Then, a protective sheet called a dental dam is placed around the tooth to keep it dry and free from saliva during the process. An opening is then created on the top of the tooth, and the bacteria will be removed with small handheld dental instruments. The area will then be shaped and cleaned, and a biocompatible material called gutta-percha is used to seal the area.