WHAT IS A ROOT CANAL?
Has your dentist recently told you that you need a root canal winston salem nc and you’re not sure what that is? A root canal is a dental procedure used to remove the center of the tooth, the root. The root of the tooth is often called “the pulp” because it consists of a tissue with the consistency of fiber. Overtime, the root can become damaged or diseased and then it becomes necessary to remove the pulp. The purpose of a root canal, and the removal of this damaged or diseased pulp, is to save the tooth. Below more detailed information is provided about why root canal procedures may be necessary and how the procedure is carried out.
There are several ways the root of the tooth can become damaged or diseased:
- A fractured or cracked tooth
- A cavity
- An oral injury that causes damage to the tooth
If an oral injury or damaged tooth results in an infected or damaged pulp, it is important to visit your dentist and treat the tooth as soon as possible. A damaged pulp left untreated can result in an infection in the jawbone or the formation of an abscess. Tooth abscess are not only very painful but can cause serious and permanent damage to your bone and gums.
The root canal procedure
Once your dentist decides you need a root canal, there are several steps that occur over the course of the treatment. These steps may require you to visit your dentist’s office several times. Here are the common steps involved in the root canal procedure:
- A hole is created in the tooth to access the disease or damaged pulp. Where this hole is made depends on which tooth it is. If the damaged tooth is a front tooth, the hole is made in the back. If the tooth in need of treatment is a back molar the hole will be made in the top of the tooth.
- Once the hole is made, the diseased or damaged pulp can be removed. After your dentist removes the pulp, they will also make sure to clean out the entire canal to minimize the possibility of future tissue becoming diseased.
- Next, the empty tooth canal needs to be filled. Your dentist may decide to hold off on placing a permanent filling in your tooth and instead insert a temporary filling to keep the tooth safe.
- At the first visit or a later visit, the root canal is permanently filled. Dental fillings can be made of various materials or composites, this usually depends on your dentist.
- Depending on the condition of the tooth and the placement of the hole, it may be necessary for an artificial crown to be placed over the tooth.
While it may seem like a lot of work, the root canal procedure is the best fix for saving a damaged or diseased root. Once the tooth is treated properly it can last for an entire lifetime without the need for future work. Because the treated tooth is still a natural tooth it is important to maintain good oral hygiene to keep this tooth healthy and avoid future issues.
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