Services
: Endodontics
: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Root Canal
Treatment
Why
Does the Pulp Need to Be Removed?
When nerve tissue or pulp is damaged, it breaks down
and bacteria begin to multiply within the pulp chamber.
The bacteria and other decayed debris can cause an infection
or abscessed tooth. An abscess is a pus-filled pocket
that forms at the end of the roots of the tooth. An
abscess occurs when the infection spreads all the way
past the ends of the roots of the tooth. In addition
to an abscess, an infection in the root canal of a tooth
can cause:
- Swelling that may spread to other
areas of the face, neck, or head
- Bone loss around the tip of the
root
- Drainage problems extending outward
from the root. A hole can occur through the side of
the tooth with drainage into the gums or through the
cheek with drainage into the skin
What Damages a Tooth's
Nerve and Pulp in the First Place?
Nerve and pulp can become irritated, inflamed and infected
due to deep decay, large fillings, a crack or chip in
the tooth, or trauma to the face.
What Are the Signs that
a Root Canal Is Needed?
Sometimes no symptoms are present. However, signs to
look for include:
- Severe toothache pain upon chewing
or application of pressure
- Prolonged sensitivity/pain to heat
or cold temperatures (after the hot or cold object
has been removed)
- Discoloration (a darkening) of
the tooth
- Swelling and tenderness in the
nearby gums
- A persistent or recurring
pimple on the gums
Are there any
complications of a Root Canal?
Despite your dentist's best efforts to clean and seal
a tooth, new infections might emerge. Among the likely
reasons for this include:
- More than the normally anticipated
number of root canals in a tooth (leaving one of them
uncleaned)
- An undetected crack in the root
of a tooth
- Inadequate dental restoration
- A breakdown of the inner sealing
material over time, allowing bacteria to recontaminate
the inner aspects of the tooth
Sometimes retreatment can be successful, other times
endodontic surgery must be tried in order to save the
tooth. The most common endodontic surgical procedure
is an apicoectomy or root-end resection. This procedure
relieves the inflammation or infection in the bony area
around the end of your tooth that continues after endodontic
treatment. In this procedure, the gum tissue is opened,
the infected tissue is removed, and sometimes the very
end of the root is removed. A small filling may be placed
to seal the root canal.
Are there any
alternatives to a Root Canal?
Saving your natural teeth is the very best option,
if possible. Your natural teeth allow you to eat a wide
variety of foods necessary to maintain proper nutrition.
The root canal procedure is the treatment of choice.
The only alternative to a root canal procedure is having
the tooth extracted and replaced with a bridge,
implant,
or removable
partial denture to restore chewing function and
prevent adjacent teeth from shifting.
Source http://www.webmd.com
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