The Process of Root Canal Therapy

Basic dental hygiene is not difficult and can prevent all manner of difficult health problems from beginning if performed with daily regularity. When proper dental hygiene goes neglected for too long or old age or injury to mouth intervenes, however, more serious dental work becomes necessary. This severe dental work has become a cultural short hand for describing high amounts of pain in American comedy, and not without due cause. One of the quintessential expressions of pain in American wit is comparing a painful experience to a root canal.

A root canal becomes necessary when a tooth is considered so cracked or infected that a simple sealing or disinfecting will not prevent the tooth from becoming infected again. In this case, the process of endontic therapy, or a root canal, becomes necessary.

The process is essentially removing the pulp of the tooth, usually along with some measure of already existing inflammation or infection. To purge the infection and hopefully salvage the tooth, a dentist has to drill into the pulp chamber and remove the infected pulp, followed by the removal of the nerve out of the root canal where it is contained. Once the infected pulp is removed, the dentist then takes needle shaped instruments known as files to widen the root canal, starting out with small files and working their way up to larger files. This removes debris and infected tissue, as well facilitating a great penetration of the chemical irrigating solution.

When the nerve is finally removed from the root canal, the dentist then fills the root canals and pulp chamber with an inert material and seals the opening, normally with gutta-percha (a natural polymer prepared from the percha tree), usually topped by a crown to finish the job.

This process can be very painful to the patient and oftentimes requires an anesthetizing substance to make the process bearable, though when it’s over, the patient usually needs painkillers for some days afterwards.

An Overview Of Root Canals

Millions of teeth in the United States are treated and saved each year thanks to endodontic or root canal treatment. The root canal procedure can relieve your tooth pain for good and save your smile. That is why the procedure is so popular in the US. The root canal procedure is helpful in treating the inside of the patient’s tooth. This sort of treatment is mandatory when the pulp of the tooth becomes infected or inflamed. This article provides an overview of the root canal procedure.

The tooth has a hard layer known as dentin inside the enamel. The pulp is located inside this dentin. It is a soft tissue that contains nerves, blood vessels and other connective tissues. It helps grow the root of the tooth during development. If the tooth is fully developed, it can survive without the pulp as the tooth is continued to be nourished by the surrounding tissues. The pulp can become infected or inflamed due to a variety of reasons. Deep decay, faulty crowns, cracks and chips in the tooth, trauma to a tooth, and repeated dental procedures on the tooth are some of the main reasons for pulp infection.

During the root canal procedure, the infected or inflamed pulp is completely removed. The inside of the tooth is carefully disinfected and cleaned. It is then filled and sealed with a material named gutta-percha. This is a rubber-like material. After that, the tooth is restored with a crown for protection. The tooth will continue to function as a normal tooth. The procedure can be completed in one or two sessions to the dentist. You can experience a pain-free and comfortable experience during and after the root canal procedure thanks to the latest technology in the industry.

Go here to learn more about the root canal procedure in Milwaukee.

Reasons You Should Have A Root Canal Performed

Endodontist doing a root canal procedureA root canal is one of those procedures that people are generally afraid of. The thought of having someone go in and extract part of your tooth is more than many people can bear. With that being said, there are several solid reasons to get a root canal, including those mentioned here.

It Will Ease Your Pain

The most common fear of a root canal involves the false idea that it is very painful. This is not the case at all. In fact, many people are given roots canals in order to reduce any pain they may be feeling. While the procedure is a bit lengthy and complicated, it is no more painful than having someone fill a cavity.

It Controls The Spread Of Infection

If you have an infection at the root of your tooth, leaving it there can cause it to spread to the jaw and gums. Once this happens, there is a possibility that a very painful abscess may form. In extreme cases, the infection can take over your entire system. Once this happens you are at higher risk for strokes and heart disease.

It Can Save Your Tooth

When you are told that you need a root canal, you should not hesitate to get it done since waiting around means you may end up losing the entire tooth. Most people think that a root canal involves taking out the entire tooth, but this isn’t the case. The idea behind it is to extract all of the dead pulp in order to promote the health of the rest of the tooth.

It Cannot Heal Itself

Some people believe that there is no longer a problem when they do not feel any pain. This is not the case at all. This only means that the problem has crawled back beneath the surface and it will create issues again in the future. There isn’t any reason to put yourself through that if you can be proactive and take care of this as soon as possible.

The thought of having a root canal may seem very frightening to you, but is something that is rather necessary. If you are told that you need to schedule this procedure, it is important that you do so right away. As you were just told, having a root canal has great benefits, so there should be no hesitation.

Root Canal Therapy Can Save Your Tooth

endodontistperformingrootcanalIt is true, root canal therapy can save your tooth. Have you ever talk to someone who has a false set of teeth? If you have you will understand why it is so important to keep all of your teeth at whatever cost.

Eating foods with false teeth is not enjoyable. In fact, many people who have false teeth state that they no longer enjoy the pleasure of eating. Also, there are certain foods such as an apple or a well done steak that are almost impossible with false teeth.

Therefore, when you visit your family dentist ask him about the better option for you and your teeth. Sometimes you will have a tooth that has massive fillings. Over the course of time the filling becomes larger and eventually becomes too large for the tooth.

At this point the dentist may recommend a root canal and a crown. This is a very good option because a crowned tooth is a better alternative than having the tooth completely removed. When you have a tooth that is crowned it is almost as good as having your own real teeth.

Many people are afraid of root canals. True, in the past a root canal was a dental procedure that could be very painful. However, with today’s technology and precise dental equipment it is as easy as having the filling.

This is especially true because of digital x-ray machines. The dentist does not need to rely on the old form of x-ray where you took a picture and then developed it. Today’s newer digital x-ray machines allow the dentists to view the choose at the same time as he does he x-ray.

This better procedure will allow him to  be precise when drilling a root canal. This precision is virtually painless and more importantly will save your tooth.

For more information about root canal therapy contact emergencydentistmilwaukee.com.