Root Canal Treatment

What is non-surgical endodontic treatment?
This is a method of treating the inside of the tooth, also known as a root canal treatment. It is one of the most common dental procedures that can be performed to prevent tooth loss.
To help you understand endodontic treatment, we would like to familiarize you with the anatomy of your tooth. Inside your tooth, under the white tooth enamel and the hard layer of tooth, called dentin, is a soft tissue known as the pulp. The pulp consists of blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue which help to create the surrounding hard tissues of the tooth during development.
The pulp can be found in the center of the tooth and can extend all the way to the tip of the roots where it connects to the tissues surrounding the root. The pulp has a very important role during a tooth’s development. However, a tooth that has reached full maturity can survive without the pulp, because it continues to receive nourishment by the surrounding tissues.

Why do I need endodontic treatment?
If the soft tissue inside the root canal of a tooth becomes inflamed or infected, then a root canal treatment is necessary. There can be a variety of factors that cause the inflammation or infection such as: repeated dental procedures on the tooth, deep decay, crack s or chips in tooth.

What are the signs of needing endodontic treatment?
Indication signs to look for include pain, tenderness to touch and chewing, prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold, discoloration of the tooth, swelling of the surrounding tissue, and drainage. Symptoms may not always be present.

How does endodontic treatment save the tooth?
The endodontist removes the inflamed or infected pulp, carefully cleans and shapes the inside of the canal, a channel inside the root, then fills and seals the space. Afterwards, you will return to your dentist, who will place a crown or other restoration on the tooth to protect and restore it to full functions. After restoration, the tooth continues to function like any other tooth.

Will I feel pain during or after the procedure?
Many endodontic procedures are performed to relieve the pain of toothaches caused by pulp inflammation or infection. With modern techniques and anesthetics, most patients report that they are comfortable during the procedure. For the first few days after treatment, your tooth may feel sensitive, especially if there was pain or infection before the procedure. This discomfort can be relieved with over-the-counter or prescription medications. Follow your endodontic's instructions carefully. Your tooth may continue to feel slightly different from your teeth for some

time after your endodontic treatment is completed. However, if you have severe pain or pressure or pain that lasts more than a few days, call your endodontist.

Root Canal treatment Procedure 1. A Deep Infection Root canal treatment is needed when an injury or a large cavity hurt the tooth's root.The root becomes infected or inflamed. 2. A Route to the Root The dentist numbs the tooth. An opening is made through the crown of the tooth to the pulp chamber. 3. Removing the Infected/Inflamed Tissue Special files are used to clean the infection and unhealthy pulp out of the canals. Then they shape the canals for the filling material. Irrigation is used to help clean the canals and remove debris. 4. Filling the Canals The canals are filled with a permanent material. Typically this is done with a material known as gutta-percha. This helps to keep the canals free of infection or contamination. 5. Rebuilding the Tooth A temporary filling material is placed on top of the gutta-percha to seal the opening. The filling remains until the tooth receives a permanent filling or a crown. A crown, sometimes called a cap, looks like a natural tooth. It is placed over the top of the tooth. 6. Extra Support In some cases, a post is placed into the root next to the gutta-percha. This gives the crown more support. 7. The Crowning Touch The crown is cemented into place. How much will the procedure cost? The cost varies depending on how complex the problem is and which tooth is affected. Molars are more difficult to treat, the fee is usually more. Most dental insurance policies provide some coverage for endodontic treatment. Generally, endodontic treatment and restoration of the natural tooth are less expensive than the alternative of having the tooth extracted. An extracted tooth must be replaced with a bridge or implant to restore chewing function and prevent adjacent teeth from shifting.These procedures tend to cost more than endodontic treatment and appropriate restoration. With root canal treatment you save your natural teeth and money. Will the tooth need any special care or additional treatment after endodontic treatment? You should not chew or bite on the treated tooth until you have had it restored by your dentist. The unrestored tooth is susceptible to fracture, so you should see your dentist for a full restoration as soon as possible. Otherwise, you need only practice good oral hygiene, including brushing, flossing, and regular checkups and cleanings. Most endodontically treated teeth last as long as other natural teeth. In a few cases, a tooth that has undergone endodontic treatment does not heal or the pain continues. Occasionally, the tooth may become painful or diseased months or even years after successful treatment. Often when this occurs, redoing theendodontic procedure can save the tooth. What causes an endodontically treated tooth to need additional treatment? New trauma, deep decay, or a loose, cracked or broken filling can cause new infection in your tooth. In some cases, the endodontist may discover additional very narrow or curved canals that could not be treated during the initial procedure. Can all teeth be treated endodontically? Most teeth can be treated. Occasionally, a tooth can’t be saved because the root canals are not accessible, the root is severely fractured, the tooth doesn’t have adequate bone support, or the tooth cannot be restored. However, advances in endodontics are making it possible to save teeth that even a few years ago would have been lost.When endodontic treatment is not effective, endodontic surgery may be able to save the tooth.

Why is my front bottom tooth dark?

Q:
Via email from Amit

I have noticed over the past two years my lower front tooth has become darker than the teeth beside it. The tooth almost looks grey. When I was 17 (I am now 26) I fell on my face off a skateboard. At that time I cut up my lips a lot and banged my bottom teeth, but nothing happened at the time and I haven't thought of it since until I noticed my tooth was going grey. I don't have any pain, but I do not like how it looks at all.and wondering what to do.

A:

I cannot comment specifically on your tooth as I haven't examined it, but I can give you some broad answers that may help guide you in what to do next.

First, a tooth that darkens overall and has a greyish appearance typically is one in that the nerve and pulp is dying or dead. A healthy tooth has a rich vascular network within the pulp which nourishes the tooth, when trauma occurs that blood supply overtime can coagulate like a bruise and the nerve of the tooth ceases having sensation. This is when the grey colour appears and unfortunately stays.

The solutions to this may vary, in most cases a root canal can be performed which takes the dead nerve and pulp out of the tooth and replaced with an inert material which fills the space. After the root canal is performed a dental crown or cap may be recommended to protect the remaining tooth structure and prevent fracture. This new dental crown can be matched to your existing adjacent teeth to look as natural as possible.

In select cases where a dental crown or cap is not the choice, dental bleaching may be done on the inside of the tooth to remove the staining on the inside of the tooth. After this bleaching is completed a permanent filling would be put on the tooth to cover the hole where access was made to perform a root canal.

I hope this has helped. Your next step is to visit a Dentist to assess your particular dental situation.

Thanks for the great question!