Root canal therapy is a common dental procedure that saves your infected tooth from extraction. This greatly restores your oral form, function, and aesthetics.
Root canal therapy at the dentist office in Pacific Beach, San Diego, involves pulp removal using advanced rotary instruments for accurate results.
What is root canal therapy?
Root canal therapy is a type of endodontic procedure that involves the removal of the infected pulp. The pulp is a mass of connective tissue present within the hard enamel and dentin of the tooth. It consists of blood vessels and nerves providing nutrition to the tooth structure. It extends from the crown to the root tip and helps in the growth and development of the tooth.
The main aim of the therapy is to provide protection to the tooth and prevent reinfection.
When is root canal therapy recommended?
Root canal therapy is necessary when oral bacteria invade the inner pulp layer of the tooth structure. When a cavity is left untreated, the bacteria can seep through into the inner pulp, causing infection. This cannot be restored by regular dental fillings.
Pulp infection can also occur due to injury or trauma to the tooth. Failure to treat this can lead to a dental abscess (pocket of pus), which is extremely painful.
What are the signs of needing root canal therapy?
There are a few signs and symptoms that indicate you require root canal therapy.
- Severe persistent, lingering pain in the affected tooth
- Tooth discoloration
- Increased sensitivity to hot and cold foods like coffee or ice cream
- Swollen gums around the affected tooth
- Swollen jaw
- Pain on application of pressure, especially while biting or chewing
- An abscess (pimple) on the gums
- Pus around an infected tooth
- A loose tooth
- A chipped or cracked tooth
How does root canal therapy save your tooth?
Root canal therapy may require one to two dental visits depending on the severity of the pulp infection.
- Your endodontist ( root canal therapy specialist) will administer local anesthesia to numb the affected tooth.
- The tooth is isolated to prevent moisture during the procedure.
- An access opening is drilled on the tooth surface with a rotary instrument.
- The tooth will be cleaned to remove the decay and debris carefully.
- The root canals will be accessed and thoroughly cleaned using rotary files.
- Your dentist will then fill the canals with a biocompatible material and seal them with gutta-percha.
- The tooth will be covered by a fabricated crown when you come for your next visit.
Conclusion
Root canal therapy is the most effective way to restore a badly decayed tooth that is beyond repair through regular dental fillings.