What is a Root Canal?
A root canal is dental treatment to save an infected or damaged tooth. A person can undergo treatment to save their tooth at a dental clinic le mars ia because it often a simple procedure. The simple procedure involves a combination of filing and cleaning the tooth.
The Anatomy of a Tooth
The outside of a tooth is made of enamel and dentin. The dentin and enamel make up the white part of the tooth. Inside the tooth is the pulp. The pulp is made of soft tissue. Within the tissue are connective tissue, blood vessels and nerves. The purpose of the pulp is to help the tooth’s root grow during its develops.
A dentist will know if a person needs a root canal after an X-ray or examination. An X-ray will show damage to the infected or inflamed tooth. It will also show where the decayed area of the tooth. The dentist will also examine the tooth for any visible signs of damage.
Why is a Root Canal Needed?
A root canal is needed when the pulp becomes infected or inflamed. Both can occur because of deep decay inside the tooth. The tooth’s pulp can also become infected or inflamed because of a chip or crack in the tooth, faulty crown or trauma to the tooth. Trauma in the tooth can occur when someone is hit in the mouth and their tooth is damaged.
If the infected or inflamed pulp is left untreated, a person can experience pain. They also may experience an abscess in the infected area. The reason why a root canal is needed is to get rid of the infected or inflamed pulp. A tooth a function without the pulp after it is fully developed.
What Happens During a Root Canal Procedure?
A root canal involves three things: anesthesia, pulpectomy and filling. Anesthesia is administered around the inflamed or inflamed tooth. Typically, the local anesthesia is given by injection. The person should only feel a pinch of the needle.
The next step is the pulpectomy. A pulpectomy is an opening the dentist makes into the inflamed or infected tooth to remove the pulp. Once the opening is made, the dentist removes the diseased pulp.
The last step is to fill the tooth. This process is the same as getting a cavity filled. The dentist fills the empty tooth with gutta-percha material. The material replaces the pulp. After the gutta-percha material is inside the tooth, the dentist seals the tooth with cement. The cement acts as the dentin and enamel to protect the tooth.
Many people hear the words “root canal” and fear the worst. They envision they’ll experience more pain during or after the procedure than in their current situation. However, a root canal is nothing to fear. The purpose is to restore the tooth, so it won’t be extracted later. Millions of people undergo a root canal each year to save their diseased or damaged tooth. They relieve pain and keep their tooth healthy.