Dr. Joe Stucky, DDS: What Is a Root Canal?

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What Is a Root Canal?

• By Dr. Joe Stucky, DDS.

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What Is a Root Canal?

• Root canal treatment is where your dentist treats
  problems deep inside a tooth without extracting
  that tooth. These problems can include injuries,
  abscesses, deep cavities, and others. The pulp
  that is in the tooth that is affected is removed
  and replaced by a rubbery material.

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Types of Root Canals

• Primary Root Canal Treatment
• This procedure is performed to take care of
  inflammation or infection.
• Secondary Root Canal Treatment
• This procedure is performed if the first root
  canal does not resolve the problem totally.
• Apicoectomy
• If regular root canal treatments are not helping,
  then this microsurgical procedure is done. The
  tip of the tooths root and any infected tissue
  are taken out.
• Pulpotomy
• This procedure is usually done on children. The
  nerve and the diseased pulp are taken out only
  from the crown of the tooth. The root nerve is
  left intact.
• Pulpectomy
• Also performed on children, this procedure is
  where the whole nerve and all pulp are taken out.

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Why Do You Need a Root Canal?

• If your tooth has nerve tissue or pulp that is
  damaged, then it can deteriorate. Bacteria will
  then start to form in the pulp chamber. This
  bacteria can cause an infection or an abscess. An
  abscess is a pocket filled with pus that occurs
  at the end of the roots of a tooth. Also, an
  infection in the root canal of a tooth can
  produce
• Swelling
• Bone loss
• Drainage problems

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Signs That You Need a Root Canal

• Sometimes, you will have no symptoms, but these
  are the symptoms that show that a root canal is
  necessary
• Severe pain when chewing
• Sensitivity to heat and cold
• Discoloration
• Swelling and tenderness in the gums
• A pimple on the gums forms

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The Process of a Root Canal

• A root canal is a procedure performed by a
  dentist or endodontist. An endodontist is a
  specialist who focuses on diseases and injuries
  of the dental pulp or the nerve of the tooth.
• First, an x-ray is taken of the root canals, and
  your dentist will check to see if there is any
  infection in the surrounding bone. Next, the
  dentist will numb the area.
• The dentist will put a rubber sheet around the
  tooth to keep the area dry. They then will drill
  a hole in the tooth to get access to the affected
  area. The pulp and nerve tissue that is affected
  is then removed from the tooth. The dentist will
  then wash away the debris with water.

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The Process of a Root Canal

• After the tooth is cleaned out, it is sealed.
  Sometimes it takes a couple of appointments to
  finish the root canal. If this is the case, then
  a temporary filling will be placed in the hole to
  prevent contamination. To seal the tooth, a
  rubber substance called gutta-percha is filled
  into the tooth. A filling is placed in the access
  hole to seal it up. Finally, the dentist may need
  to restore the tooth with a crown or a post if
  there is extensive decay.

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After the Root Canal

• After the tooth is cleaned out, it is sealed.
  Sometimes it takes a couple of appointments to
  finish the root canal. If this is the case, then
  a temporary filling will be placed in the hole to
  prevent contamination. To seal the tooth, a
  rubber substance called gutta-percha is filled
  into the tooth. A filling is placed in the access
  hole to seal it up. Finally, the dentist may need
  to restore the tooth with a crown or a post if
  there is extensive decay.
• With respect to your oral care, you should brush
  and floss just like usual.

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After the Root Canal

• Root canals have a 95 success rate. The affected
  area is also not conspicuous because a crown or
  filling is placed in the access hole.
• Sometimes, a new infection might occur after your
  root canal. The reasons for this can include An
  unnoticed crack in the root of your toothA
  defective dental restoration that allows
  re-contaminationA deterioration of the filling
  material that allows reinfection
• With the advent of new dental technology, the
  process of getting a root canal does not have to
  be any more painful than getting a filling. In
  many cases, the procedure is a real necessity.
  You should always go to your dentist at least
  twice a year, and they will tell you if you need
  this kind of procedure. Of course, if you have
  pain in your mouth anywhere, it is wise to make
  an appointment to see your dentist right away.

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The Root Canal Process
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