| What is root canal treatment?
Your dentist uses root canal treatment
to find the cause and then treat problems
of the tooth's soft core (the dental
pulp). Years ago, teeth with diseased
or injured pulps were removed. Today,
root canal treatment has given dentists
a safe way of saving teeth.
What is the dental pulp?
The pulp is the soft tissue that contains
nerves, blood vessels and connective
tissue. It lies within the tooth and
extends from the crown of the tooth to
the tip of the root in the bone of the
jaws.
What happens if the pulp gets injured?
An abscessed (infected) tooth caused by
tooth decay. When the pulp is diseased
or injured and can't repair itself, it
dies. The most common cause of pulp death
is a cracked tooth or a deep cavity.
Both of these problems can let germs
(bacteria) enter the pulp. Germs can
cause an infection inside the tooth.
Left without treatment, pus builds up
at the root tip, in the jawbone, forming
a "pus-pocket" called an abscess.
An abscess can cause damage to the bone
around the teeth.
Why does the pulp need to be removed?
When the infected pulp is not removed,
pain and swelling can result. Certain
byproducts of the infection can injure
your jaw bones. Without treatment, your
tooth may have to be removed.
What does treatment involve?
Treatment often involves from one to three
visits. During treatment, your general
dentist or endodontist (a dentist who
specializes in problems of the pulp)
removes the diseased pulp. The pulp chamber
and root canal(s) of the tooth are then
cleaned and sealed.
Here's how your tooth is saved through
treatment:
- First, an opening is made through
the crown of the tooth.
- An opening is made through
the crown of the tooth
into the
pulp chamber.
- The pulp is then removed. The
root canal(s) is cleaned and shaped
to a form
that can be filled.
- The pulp is removed, and the root
canals are cleaned, enlarged and
shaped.
- Medications may be put in
the pulp chamber and root
canal(s) to help
get rid of germs and prevent
infection.
- A temporary filling will be placed
in the crown opening to protect
the tooth between dental visits.
Your dentist may
leave the tooth open for a few
days to drain. You might also be
given medicine
to help control infection that
may have spread beyond the tooth.
- The pulp chamber and root canals
are filled and sealed.
- The temporary
filling is removed and the pulp
chamber and root canal(s)
are
cleaned and filled.
- In the final step, a gold or porcelain
crown is usually placed over
the tooth. If an endodontist performs
the treatment,
he or she will recommend that
you return to your family dentist
for this final
step.
- The crown of the tooth is then restored.
How long will the restored tooth last?
Your restored tooth could last a lifetime,
if you continue to care for your teeth
and gums. However, regular checkups are
necessary. As long as the root(s) of
a treated tooth are nourished by the
tissues around it, your tooth will remain
healthy.
Please note: The ADA does not provide specific answers
to individual questions about fees, dental problems, conditions, diagnoses,
treatments or proposed treatments, or requests for research. Information about
dental referrals, complaints and a variety of dental procedures may
be found here. You can also refer to our Frequently
Asked Questions page for answers to common questions.
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