Root canal treatment is also called endodontic treatment, and it involves removing infected and inflamed tissue from inside the tooth canal. Within the tooth and under the layer of enamel and dentin,  there exists a soft tissue known as pulp. This tissue has blood vessels and nerves, which, when inflamed, can cause an uncomfortable sensation. The pulp within each tooth is important for the growth and maturing of the teeth, but sometimes a tooth can survive without the need of the pulp, as it can get the required nourishment from surrounding teeth. The root canal treatment is performed by a dentist when the inflammation in the pulp causes pain to the patient. In this procedure, the infected pulp is removed completely and filled with a sealant that stops saliva from damaging the canal.

Structure Of The Teeth

A tooth is essentially made of two main parts: the crown (visible white portion) and the root anchored in the jawbone. The other main components of teeth are the enamel, the outer layer, dentin, and cementum. An important substance at the core of each tooth is the dental pulp contained in the root canal. It is also possible for one tooth to have multiple root canals.

Symptoms & Indicators

When the patient reaches  American Dental Clinic and shows symptoms of severe infection or inflammation of the dental pulp, it is necessary to perform a root canal treatment. If this condition is left without treatment, the infection will lead to the formation of abscesses within the tooth that cause severe pain and sometimes loss in the strength of the tooth. After the successful procedure, the patients will be able to chew normally, and it will also show a better aesthetic profile than alternative measures like dental implants.

The major symptoms of pulp infection are a pain when eating and drinking hot or cold food and beverages. A patient might also experience severe pain when chewing or biting food and may also find that the affected tooth becomes loose. When the infection has reached a more advanced level, there might also be swelling of the face and discoloration of the tooth.

Root Canal Procedure

The first step to perform the root canal is when the dentist takes an x-ray of the inflicted tooth to know how to proceed. After this, a local anesthetic is administered so as not to feel any pain during the procedure. Special care is taken to ensure that saliva does not interfere with the treatment through a dental dam. The dental specialist then uses a drill to open the tooth from the crown and examine the pulp. The dental pulp which is infected and inflamed is completely removed from the root canal in the next step. The root canal is filled with a compatible material, and dental cement is used to seal the opening. Finally, a temporary filling is used to cover the opening and subsequently, a permanent filling and crown can be done.

Follow Up Measures

After completing the root canal treatment, it is common to have discomfort on the tooth for 2-3 days. It is possible to return to normal daily activities after the root canal treatment, but the patient is encouraged not to chew with the tooth on which the root canal has been done. The dentist will advise you to visit the clinic periodically, where the specialist will ensure that the infection has not returned. It is important to maintain good hygiene practices by bruising and flossing after meals to take care of the tooth.

American Dental Clinic has highly skilled professional dentists who have expertise in managing tooth infections and performing root canal treatments. Visit our clinic to detect any damage to the dental pulp at an early stage and intervene through surgery to repair the damaged tooth.