When the dentist office comes to mind, most people cringe at the
thought, especially when dealing with an infected tooth. If an infected
tooth is not treated for a long enough period of time, it can cause a
person to become severely ill.
Prior to the twentieth century, the likely hood of an infected tooth being saved was improbable: the dentist did not have the knowledge or training to save a tooth and would just yank it out rather than risk the chance of the patient becoming ill. Patients would become ill from infected teeth because when a tooth abscessed, a pus pocket would burst and the bacteria would enter into the blood stream. Of course, at that time, pulling a tooth was the preferred outcome from a root infection. In stark contrast to earlier dental thinking, modern dentistry attempts to save teeth rather than pull them. One of the many ways dentists save infected teeth is through root canal therapy.
A root canal is used to treat decaying or infected teeth. The procedures are used for teeth that are beyond repair because a cavity has reached down into the center of the tooth and infected the pulp chamber (the pulp chamber is the soft tissue where the tooth root lies). Once the gum and teeth are fully developed, a tooth's nerve no longer serves any purpose other than to send the signal for a hot or cold sensation to the brain. When the nerve becomes diseased it will try to repair itself. However, if it cannot repair itself, it dies off leaving a sensitive area where the tooth lies.
Once the dentist has identified that the pulp is infected, the pulp will need to be removed. When the tooth becomes infected the pulp begins to break down causing severe pain for the patient. One of the first steps to getting a root canal is numbing the tooth's nerve and the gum tissue surrounding the tooth. Although it may seem trivial, numbing the patient's tooth is vital to the success of the procedure. The reason the dentist numbs the patient's mouth is because it's a delicate procedure and if the patient reacts to any pain and moves his or her mouth, it could jeopardize the success of the procedure.
When performing the procedure, the dentist's job is to remove the infected pulp from the pulp chamber as well as the dead nerve. The dentist must be careful when removing the infected pulp due to the sensitivity in that area. A root canal requires more than one visit. After the infected tissue has been removed, he will inject antibacterial medicine inside the tooth and let it remain there for several days to prevent the tooth from becoming infected once again.
Once the dentist is aware that the tooth is clear of bacteria, he will then fill the root canal and pulp chamber with a rubber like substance. The dentist then seals the tooth permanently with antibacterial cement, preventing any further bacteria from entering into the tooth. That last step is for your dentist to place a porcelain crown on top of the tooth. The underlying tooth is then protected and the full function of the tooth is restored.
Although root canals have a bad reputation for being painful, new technology and up-to-date anesthetics guarantee the patients don't have to feel as much pain as they would imagine. These days, patients are at ease during the procedure - there is only a small amount of discomfort when it comes to root canals.
Root canals are always the ideal option when teeth have become infected or are badly decaying. If you want to know more, visit your local dentist. Alternatively, you could perform your own online research - there is an abundance of information on the internet regarding root canal procedures.
Prior to the twentieth century, the likely hood of an infected tooth being saved was improbable: the dentist did not have the knowledge or training to save a tooth and would just yank it out rather than risk the chance of the patient becoming ill. Patients would become ill from infected teeth because when a tooth abscessed, a pus pocket would burst and the bacteria would enter into the blood stream. Of course, at that time, pulling a tooth was the preferred outcome from a root infection. In stark contrast to earlier dental thinking, modern dentistry attempts to save teeth rather than pull them. One of the many ways dentists save infected teeth is through root canal therapy.
A root canal is used to treat decaying or infected teeth. The procedures are used for teeth that are beyond repair because a cavity has reached down into the center of the tooth and infected the pulp chamber (the pulp chamber is the soft tissue where the tooth root lies). Once the gum and teeth are fully developed, a tooth's nerve no longer serves any purpose other than to send the signal for a hot or cold sensation to the brain. When the nerve becomes diseased it will try to repair itself. However, if it cannot repair itself, it dies off leaving a sensitive area where the tooth lies.
Once the dentist has identified that the pulp is infected, the pulp will need to be removed. When the tooth becomes infected the pulp begins to break down causing severe pain for the patient. One of the first steps to getting a root canal is numbing the tooth's nerve and the gum tissue surrounding the tooth. Although it may seem trivial, numbing the patient's tooth is vital to the success of the procedure. The reason the dentist numbs the patient's mouth is because it's a delicate procedure and if the patient reacts to any pain and moves his or her mouth, it could jeopardize the success of the procedure.
When performing the procedure, the dentist's job is to remove the infected pulp from the pulp chamber as well as the dead nerve. The dentist must be careful when removing the infected pulp due to the sensitivity in that area. A root canal requires more than one visit. After the infected tissue has been removed, he will inject antibacterial medicine inside the tooth and let it remain there for several days to prevent the tooth from becoming infected once again.
Once the dentist is aware that the tooth is clear of bacteria, he will then fill the root canal and pulp chamber with a rubber like substance. The dentist then seals the tooth permanently with antibacterial cement, preventing any further bacteria from entering into the tooth. That last step is for your dentist to place a porcelain crown on top of the tooth. The underlying tooth is then protected and the full function of the tooth is restored.
Although root canals have a bad reputation for being painful, new technology and up-to-date anesthetics guarantee the patients don't have to feel as much pain as they would imagine. These days, patients are at ease during the procedure - there is only a small amount of discomfort when it comes to root canals.
Root canals are always the ideal option when teeth have become infected or are badly decaying. If you want to know more, visit your local dentist. Alternatively, you could perform your own online research - there is an abundance of information on the internet regarding root canal procedures.
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