Root Canal Therapy
What is Root Canal Therapy?
Root Canal Therapy is a technique for removing infection within the canals that are located inside a tooth’s roots. The canals contain blood vessels and nerves. The vessels can deliver immune cells to remove foreign invaders such as bacteria. However, bacteria can also destroy the vessels and prevent the immune cells from reaching the germs, thus allowing the germs to multiply. These bacteria can invade and infect the tooth’s nerves, and exit through the end of the root and cause damage outside of the tooth.
Root Canal therapy is a technique for cleaning the canals and sealing them to reduce the chance that bacteria will re-infect the tooth.
Is Root Canal Painful?
Modern anesthetics and techniques have enabled dentists to reduce and often eliminate all pain associated with dental treatment. Local Anesthetics injected near the problem tooth can eliminate “sharp” pain but some people can still feel pressure or discomfort. Nitrous oxide (a gas that can be painlessly inhaled through a mask) or anti-anxiety medications can help calm people and lessen their awareness of any negative sensations associated with dental treatment. Medications that induce sleep (sedation) can be given to people who are unable to tolerate dental treatment while awake.
How much time does it take to complete Root Canal Therapy?
The time and number of appointments needed to perform treatment vary depending upon the number of canals located within the tooth, the degree to which the patient can maintain his mouth in an open position, and the location of the tooth. Generally back teeth are more difficult for a dentist to visualize and have more canals; thus they usually require more time. Treatment typically lasts between one and two hours per visit and consists of one or two visits.
After Root Canal Therapy is completed does the tooth need any further treatment?
After Root Canal Therapy the tooth’s canals are sealed. Bacteria release acids that can soften or cause decay within a tooth. Bacteria should be completely removed from the tooth and the tooth sealed to protect the remaining healthy areas of the tooth. Thus the damaged area of the tooth should be re-sealed with a restoration.
The larger the decayed area the weaker a tooth becomes. Weak or brittle teeth are more likely to fracture while chewing hard or chewy foods. A crown, which can surround and protect a weak tooth like a shell protects an egg, is frequently placed following root canal therapy.
If you need immediate care, contact us at 610-906-8882.
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