Root Canals are a dental procedure that restores damaged or infected tooth pulp. The pulp is a naturally occurring hollow area inside the core of a tooth that contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue. These tissues provide nourishment and sensory response to the tooth. The pulp may become infected or damaged due to trauma, deep decay and other causes.
Symptoms of Tooth Infection
When the pulp of your tooth is damaged, it can cause severe pain and swelling in your mouth and gums. In some cases, the infection can spread to other teeth or the underlying bone. This can lead to serious problems such as abscess, bone loss and even death of the tooth.
The best way to prevent a painful, infected tooth is by visiting your dentist regularly. Sarasota dentist will examine your mouth and take x-rays of your tooth and surrounding areas to determine the extent of the damage and any possible complications.
Your dentist will also examine your oral health and determine if you have any other underlying issues. If there is a risk of you developing a serious health condition, such as heart disease or diabetes, your dentist will recommend that you see another specialist.
A root canal treatment is often the most conservative and effective option for removing infected pulp from the interior of your tooth without damaging the enamel or dentin. Sometimes, this procedure is the only way to save a severely damaged or infected tooth.
Modern root canal treatments are relatively painless and extremely effective. They are designed to save your tooth from further damage and restore its function so you can continue to enjoy life.
How a Root Canal Works
A tooth’s inner structure is complex and intricate. It includes a hollow space that houses the tooth’s pulp chamber, main canals and more intricate anatomical branches. The dentist will remove the infected or damaged pulp, clean the canals and fill them with a special material that protects the tooth from bacteria.
During the procedure, your dentist will place a rubber dam to keep saliva out of the area and ensure the pulp and canals are properly cleaned out and sterile. He or she will then fill the canals with a new compound and then seal them to protect the tooth from further infection.
After the canals are filled, a temporary filling is placed to protect the tooth until a permanent crown can be made. This will be bonded to the tooth with dental cement and secured with mechanical retention.
How long does a root canal take?
Depending on the size of the tooth and number of roots, the treatment may take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes. The time will vary depending on the complexity of your dental situation and whether you need a crown as well.
Your dentist will provide you with anesthesia to numb the affected area before the treatment begins. Some patients may experience discomfort during the procedure, but this can usually be eased with over-the-counter pain medications.