Root Canals, Know the Facts!

Do you or have you had tooth pain that wakes you up at night? Or noticed an oozing sore on your gums? If so, you may need or have been told you need a root canal. But what exactly is a root canal. Many people have heard horror stories about how awful they are but with the advancements in dentistry root canals have gotten much better and much easier. Millions of teeth area treated and saved each year by this procedure alone.

           

Inside the tooth, under the enamel and dentin, is a soft tissue called the pulp. The pulp contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue. In a fully developed tooth, the tooth can survive without the pulp because the tooth continues to be nourished by the surrounding tissues. Depending on the condition of the tooth treatment can be done in one to two appointments with little to no discomfort.

Root canal treatment is done to the inside of the tooth where the pulp is located. It is necessary to have this treatment when the pulp becomes inflamed or infected. The inflammation or infection can be caused by deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth, faulty crowns, or a crack or chip in the tooth. Trauma to a tooth may cause pulp damage even if the tooth has no visible chips or cracks. If left untreated, it can cause pain or lead to an abscess.

During a root canal, the inflamed or infected pulp is removed and the inside of the tooth is carefully cleaned and disinfected, then filled and sealed with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha. Afterwards, the tooth is restored with a crown. A crown is a tooth-shaped "cap" that is placed over a tooth to restore its shape and size, strength, and improve its appearance. The crowns fully encase the entire visible portion of a tooth that lies at and above the gum line.Once treatment is completed the tooth functions just like a normal tooth.

 Visit Paducah Dental Care to learn more!