The preservation of your natural teeth is always the goal for optimum oral health. When a tooth becomes severely decayed and infected, there are two options. Either the tooth is extracted, or it can undergo root canal therapy. Of the two, root canal therapy is the desired choice when possible.

You may be one of the many people who cringe at the term “root canal,” having received plenty of misinformation about the procedure. Despite the relief root canal therapy brings, there are still myths and rumors about this treatment which make it seem like a very painful procedure that should be avoided.

The myths and rumors are just that, myths and rumors. Root canal therapy is used to preserve an infected tooth, and by its very nature, relieves the pain and misery that the infection produces. Advancements in dental technology make root canal therapy easier, and for many people, painless.

Root Canal Therapy is a Method of Tooth Preservation

There are three basic layers of teeth. The hard enamel on the outside is mostly made from minerals and the hardest substance in your body, even harder than your bones. Under the enamel is the dentin. This is a living layer of the tooth and softer than the enamel. This living tissue also protects the center of the tooth called the pulp.

The pulp contains the nerves and blood vessels which bring nourishment to the tooth. The pulp also contains connective tissue and specialized cells that aid in the development of teeth. The pulp extends from the center of the tooth down through the roots where the nerves and blood vessels connect with those in the jawbone.

When dental decay attacks a tooth, it eats through each layer, beginning with the hard enamel. Because the dentin is softer, decay can move through this area at a fast rate. If the tooth continues to be neglected, the decay will attack the pulp. At this point, you may feel severe pain as the pulp becomes inflamed. Infection follows this, and an abscess may form at the base of the root where the blood vessels and nerves enter the tooth. Depending on the extent of the decay, you may be able to avoid extraction of the tooth by having root canal therapy.

As long as there is enough tooth structure remaining after the decayed debris is cleaned out, root canal therapy may be used to keep it in place. This procedure eliminates the pain caused by the infection and preserves your natural tooth.

An Overview of Root Canal Therapy

Usually, root canal therapy can be performed in one visit. Sometimes cleaning out all the infection may require more than one visit. Other dental procedures will be needed to restore your tooth to full function.

The procedure begins with a thorough examination of the infected tooth, including an x-ray to determine the length and shape of the tooth roots and check for abscesses. An anesthetic is used to numb the tooth. The dentist will then make a small opening in the tooth to access the pulp chamber.

Long thin files are used to remove the infected pulp and smooth the walls of the root canal. After the debris is thoroughly cleaned away, the chamber is flushed with a solution to ensure the canal is clean and disinfected. Next, a special material called gutta percha is used to fill the chamber to prevent bacteria and debris from entering. The pulp chamber is then sealed off, and the tooth is filled with appropriate filling material.

After Root Canal Therapy

The blood vessels and nerves nourish a tooth and keep it alive. After root canal therapy, the tooth is no longer receiving nourishment from the body. Cleaning out the decay also removes a portion of the tooth. In order for it to be fully functional, your dentist may recommend that it be built up and a crown restoration be placed on the tooth.

Building up the tooth restores the bulk that was removed when the decay was cleaned out. The crown provides protection and stability for the tooth. The crown also restores the natural shape and appearance of the tooth.

An infected tooth can be quite painful. The dentists at Sacramento Emergency Dentist can eliminate your pain and save your tooth with root canal therapy. We offer same day and weekend appointments. Contact us to schedule your appointment.