Saving Your Tooth Through Endodontic (Root Canal) Treatment

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Saving Your ToothThrough Endodontic (Root Canal)
Treatment
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A healthy tooth consistsof a crown...
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...and a root.
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Under the hard layers of enamel and dentin...
Enamel
Dentin
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is soft tissue called pulp.
Enamel
Dentin
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The pulp creates dentin during development.
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After the tooth is mature, it can survive without
the pulp because the tooth will continue to be
nourished bysurrounding tissues.
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When a tooth is damaged through injury or decay...
Decay
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the pulp canbecome damaged.
Decay
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If left untreated,an abscess can form.
Decay
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How do you know if the pulp of your tooth is
damaged?
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Signs of damaged pulp

• Pain
• Prolonged sensitivity to heat, cold or biting
• Discoloration of the tooth
• Swelling and tenderness in the gums

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Sometimes there areno symptoms.

• But endodontic problems are often evident on an
  x-ray...

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so its important to seeyour general dentistat
least twice a year.
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If you are experiencing symptoms, it is important
to see your dentist.
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When you visit your general dentist or
endodontist, the following steps may be taken
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Preparation for Treatment

• Tooth examined
• X-rays taken
• Anesthetic given
• Dental dam placed

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A dental dam is a small sheetof rubber that
surroundsthe tooth.

• It will isolate your tooth and keep it clean
  during the procedure.

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Once your toothis completely numb...
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...your endodontist will makean opening in the
crown...
Access Opening
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...and gently clean the pulp from the pulp
chamber...
Access Opening
Cleaned and Shaped Pulp Chamber
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...and root canals.
Access Opening
Cleaned and Shaped Pulp Chamber and Root Canal
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Once the root canals are cleaned and shaped...
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your endodontist willfill the canals...
Filled Root Canals
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with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha.
Filled Root Canals
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Your endodontist may then place a temporary
filling.
Filled Root Canals
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This filling is meant to last for just a short
period...
Filled Root Canals
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...most likely a few daysto a few weeks.
Filled Root Canals
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Shortly after yourinitial treatment,you will
need to returnto your general dentist, who will
place afinal restoration.
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In some cases...
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...a large filling, called a core build up, may
be necessary.
Filled Root Canals
Gutta-percha
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If your tooth lacks sufficient structure to hold
this filling...
Filled Root Canals
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a post may also be placed inside the tooth.
Filled Root Canals
Gutta-percha
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The purpose of the post is to help retainthe
corebuild up.
Post
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At this time, a crown or other restoration will
be placed.
Gutta-percha
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Until the final restoration is placed, your tooth
will be susceptible to fracture...
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so be sure to have the final restoration placed
in a timely manner.
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Your tooth may remain sensitive for a few days
following treatment.

• Over-the-counter or prescription medications
  should relieve this discomfort.

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If pain is severeor swelling occurs,call your
endodontist.
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Brushing, flossing and regular checkups and
cleanings are still important.
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Like any other tooth,your endodontically treated
tooth can decay again.
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Your endodontist may schedule a follow-up exam to
evaluate the healing process.
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While it is usually best to save a natural tooth,
it is sometimes necessary to extract, or remove,
the tooth instead.
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Extraction is indicated when

• The tooth is severely damaged
• Bone structure is not adequate to support the
  treatment

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When a tooth is extracted,it is usually replaced
with a bridge or implant.

• While these replacements can be successful,
  nothing is as good as your natural tooth.

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Your teeth are important...
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esthetically.
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and functionally.
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Tooth replacements canbe effective...
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however, it has been found that people with
implants or other replacements may avoidsome
types of foods...
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...while people with their natural teeth continue
to eat a wide variety of foods.
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It is also important to remember that extraction
of the tooth and replacementwith a bridge or
implantcan be more costly thanendodontic
treatment.
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Some people avoid endodontic treatment for fear
that a treated tooth may turn dark.

• In most cases, this
  does not happen.

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But in situations where it does happen, the tooth
can usually be bleached to an acceptable color
with a simple procedure.
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In summary,endodontic treatment

• Relieves pain
• Saves teeth
• Is cost effective

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If you have any questions, please ask your
generaldentist or endodontist.

• And remember...

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with proper care...
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Endodontically treatedteeth can last a lifetime!

• The End