A root canal helps treat a badly damaged or infected tooth. The cosmetic dentist will remove the pulp and nerves of the badly damaged tooth, clean, disinfect, and use a tooth cement to fill and seal it. There are many instances where you may require root canal therapy.
This article provides information on some of the reasons why you may require root canal therapy.
The term “root canal” is used because the dentist will clean the canals inside the root of the affected tooth. You should consult a qualified cosmetic dentist for the procedure. Your dentist will complete the procedure in a number of steps that spread over a few office visits. The first step is to take a dental x-ray. The x-ray will reveal the exact place where the tooth decay is located. Local anesthesia will be used to numb the affected area. The procedure is no more painful than a normal filling. Your dentist will make an opening and remove the pulp and dead nerves of the diseased tooth.
The opened roots of the tooth are then filled with a gutta percha material and permanently sealed off with tooth cement.
A restored tooth can last for a lifetime with the proper care. There is a high success rate for this procedure. There are a few steps the patient can take to protect the restored tooth after the root canal procedure. Brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day to prevent future problems. Chewing on hard food can break the tooth and harm the root canal. You need to avoid chewing on hard food once the root canal is completed. Visit the dentist at least twice a year to clean and examine your teeth. These are steps you need to take after a root canal procedure.
There are many reasons why you may require root canal therapy. Tooth decay is one reason. Minor decays can lead to deep decays when left untreated for a long time. At first, tooth decay may affect only the enamel of the tooth. Eventually, it may catch up on the pulp and nerves of the tooth. Large fillings are also a cause for a root canal treatment. A large filling can result in the removal of more tooth structure and affect the structural integrity of the tooth. This can increase your risk of root canal treatment.
Chips, cracks, and other types of trauma to your teeth can increase your risk of root canal treatment over time. Minor cracks can be repaired with tooth-colored bonding. But larger cracks may require root canal treatment. If the damage has extended to the pulp of the tooth, a root canal procedure may be needed to restore the tooth. These are some of the common reasons for root canal therapy.
A badly damaged or infected tooth can be effectively treated with root canal therapy. The aforementioned article provides information on the reasons why you might need root canal therapy.
