Extensive tooth damage involving the pulp may be challenging for dentists to treat. Regular dental fillings won’t do any good. Seeping infection, persistent pain, and swelling can be quite daunting. Fortunately, root canal therapy can overcome it all.
The highly-skilled dentist in Redlands, CA, and their team specialize in root canal therapies. They offer comprehensive and compassionate dental care that enhances your oral health and overall well-being.
Diving into root canal therapy
Root canals are narrow chambers present within the roots of a tooth. It consists of a pulp chamber with several blood vessels and nerves. Root canal therapy (RCT) is a comprehensive endodontic procedure that aids in restoring a severely damaged or infected tooth. RCT involves the removal of the infected pulp (the central part of the tooth that consists of nerves and blood vessels) and refilling the root canals with a biocompatible material. Finally, the tooth is sealed permanently with a customized dental crown.
The prerequisites for root canal therapy
Your dentist may recommend root canal therapy to treat a wide range of dental problems. These include:
- Severely decayed teeth
- Trauma or injury to the teeth
- Infection that may have developed near the root tip
- The presence of pus discharging abscess near the tooth
- Prophylactic procedure for teeth that support a dental bridge
Signs that deem root canal therapy necessary
Certain warning signs and symptoms make it necessary for you to undergo root canal therapy, such as:
- Excruciating, persistent tooth pain that doesn’t go away
- Pain radiating to the ear, jaws, or neck
- Extreme sensitivity to heat and cold foods
- An abscess on your gums with or without pus discharge
- Swollen and tender jaw
- Tooth discoloration
- Pain on application of pressure (while chewing or biting)
- Chipped or cracked teeth
- Loose/mobile teeth
Root canal therapy- the procedure explained
Root canal therapy is a safe and simple procedure involving the following steps:
- Tooth isolation with rubber dam that helps in moisture control
- Administration of local anesthesia to numb the affected tooth and surrounding gums
- Access opening by drilling a hole using ultrasonic instruments in the tooth crown
- Pulp removal through rotary files
- Shaping the root canals through a process called biomechanical preparation
- Cleaning and disinfecting the root canals
- Filling the empty canals with a flexible, biocompatible material called gutta-percha
- Sealing the tooth with a temporary filling material to prevent reinfection
- Placing a final restoration in the form of a dental crown
Takeaway
Often pulp infection is followed by painful symptoms that can be distressing. But with advanced technology in the field of dentistry, you can permanently restore the affected tooth with revolutionary procedures like root canal therapy. This can enhance your oral form, function, and aesthetics for a complete rejuvenation.
