Saving your teeth and preserving its health is what we ideally aim for before considering procedures such as a tooth extraction. A root canal is a simple treatment that helps to preserve and protect your teeth that have suffered from either injury, internal decay, and other means of damage.
An endodontic therapy is generally considered for patients who have suffered severe infection or decay of the dental pulp. The cause of such internal decay could be a minor crack that progressed into deeper ones, paving the entry of bacteria into the internal dental pulp thereby infecting its fresh and healthy tissues. Such an infection would not only put your jawbones at risk but can affect the entire oral cavity.
What is a root canal?
A root canal is an endodontic treatment of the tooth's internal structure. The procedure removes infected tissues of the dental pulp thereby saving the tooth from severe infection and decay. The dental pulp is a mass of tissues that nurtures the tooth from the inside. It rests within the deeper layers of the tooth's enamel. It is surrounded by connective nerves that blood vessels that bring in nutrition for your teeth. Any damage inflicted externally can put these tissues in risk of damage and infection. Before considering an extraction to save your damaged teeth, an endodontist may be able to help you to preserve them.
Who are the ideal candidates for a root canal?
The ideal candidates for a root canal would be those who:
- Experiences a severe toothache
- Suffers from prolonged tooth sensitivity and pain while chewing
- Notices severe teeth discoloration
What is the process involved?
A root canal procedure would be performed by an experienced dentist or an endodontist who has prior skill and knowledge working with cases related to endodontic conditions. An endodontist specializes in the cause, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and injuries of the dental pulp.
The procedure begins by numbing the area of the infected tooth. To ensure that other areas of the tooth are dry and free of saliva, the dentist would place a rubber dam around the tooth. An access hole would be drilled into the tooth to remove infected pulp tissues and debris from the canal chamber. After a thorough cleaning session, the tooth the sealed. The sealed tooth is then protected with the help of a restoration to keep it safe from the entry of food particles and bacteria.
Request your appointment with MAK Dental today for your root canal procedures! Book online or call us at (707) 554-2600.