Root Canal
Root Canal Repair Saves Teeth
In the old days, you had to remove a tooth when it became infected, but today we can perform a root canal, or endodontic treatment, and save your tooth from extraction. Saving a natural tooth includes numerous advantages, like not having to wear artificial teeth, more efficient chewing, preventing jaw issues, and shielding other teeth from an excessive amount of wear and strain. A root canal identifies the natural cavity inside the tooth where you can find the sensitive area called the pulp or pulp chamber. You can also find the nerves of the tooth whose function is sensory inside the root canal.
If the pulp gets injured (rehashed dental strategies, fillings, cracked or broken tooth) or infected (due to enamel decay), the pulp tissues and nerves die which can lead to severe infection when bacteria start to multiply. If gone untreated, the encompassing tissues may also get infected. It will result in the following: tooth abscess, bone loss around the tip of the root, swelling that may spread to the face, neck, or head, and a hole in the side of the teeth, which can cause drainage into the gums, cheek, or skin.
Root Canal Methodology
Root canal therapy repairs and saves a severely infected tooth by removing the pulp and nerves and then protecting it by cleaning and sealing the tooth. A crown is then placed over the treated tooth to make it stronger.
- We take X-rays of the infected tooth to determine the state of the root canals and to see if there are any indications of disease and then numbing the infected tooth and the encompassing tissues by making use of anesthesia.
- Next, the dentist will use dental gum (a thin sheet of rubber or vinyl) to detach the contaminated tooth from the rest of the mouth and also to keep the tooth dry.
- A small hole is then penetrated into the infected tooth to gain access to the pulp chamber and root canals that will be treated. Using unique instruments like root canal files, the dead pulp, nerves, and tissues along with bacteria and other debris, are evacuated by flushing with water or with sodium hydrochloride.
- After the root canals are cleaned and disinfected with sterile solutions and antiseptic, followed by shaping of the canals for the root canal fillings, the root canals will be washed and cleaned once more before sealing them.
- At the next appointment for treatment, a rubber-like material known as gutta-percha collectively with an adhesive referred to as sealer is used to fill the root canals and seal them.
- The last technique may incorporate restoration of the tooth to its full function with a crown to help prevent it from further breaking or damage. We will tell you if you need any additional dental procedures.
- After the treatment, an antibiotic will be prescribed for you to take to prevent infection.
Signs You Need a Root Canal
- A broken, rotten, cracked, or extricated tooth
- Acute, sharp, and spontaneous pain that is difficult to find, and might be due to infected pulp or an abscess at the tip of the root
- Discoloration or obscuring of the tooth
- Dull ache and pressure
- The pain reaches out to the ear, temples, or jaw areas
- Prolonged pain and sensitivity to hot or cool beverages and food
- A recurring or persistent pimple on the gums that may discharge pus, with a terrible accompanying smell or taste
- Serious toothache pain when biting, chewing, or touching the tooth because of the disease or inflammation of the base tip and the use of pressure on its socket irritates the root area
- Swelling and tenderness of the gums close to the contaminated tooth
- Swelling of the face
However, there are occasions where a tooth pulp can become damaged or infected with none of the above side effects displayed. When this happens, the dental issue is generally identified by X-rays or special dental tests amid checkups or other dental medications.
Diagnoses
We take several steps to determine if you need root canal treatment, and these include: looking for any symptoms that you might have to need the treatment, checking the tooth and the gum’s condition and for any dental procedure done on it before. We also examine the nerves, tissues, and sensitivity of the tooth and the surrounding area by applying hot and cold substances to it, tapping on the tooth tenderly, or having you bite on something to determine. From there, we take X-rays of the tooth and the bone around the tooth to show how the treatment will go. Then we use an electronic pulp tester to send a little electric current through the tooth to determine if the pulp is still alive.
About AC Pediatric Dentistry
We understand that going to the dentist can be overwhelming and scary. That’s why we strive to make the experience pleasant, easy, and fun for your child. We aim to create lifelong, healthy dental habits through education and positive experiences in the dentist’s chair.
Convenient South Florida Locations
Getting to the dentist has never been easier. We’ve got many convenient locations in South Florida, and many more coming soon! Take a tour of our offices, so you’ll know what to expect when you get here!