| Root canals, also referred
to as endodontic treatments, are needed when the soft tissue or dental
pulp inside the canal of your tooth becomes infected or decayed. If
left untreated, the infection will cause pain and inflammation and
eventually make the tooth so unstable that it will fall out. This
is why our experienced cosmetic dentists continually educate our patients
about the dangers of tooth infections and decay.
You could say that the purpose of root canal treatment is to create
an end result where the tissues surrounding a tooth's root will
maintain a healthy status despite the fact that the tooth's nerve
has undergone degenerative changes. Specifically, we mean that the
tissues surrounding a tooth's root are not affected by bacterial
infection and/or irritating substances leaking from those inner
aspects of the tooth originally occupied by the tooth's nerve tissue.
The basic root canal or endodontic therapy is done using the steps
that follow:
- The decayed dental pulp is removed
- The canal inside the tooth is thoroughly cleaned to ensure that
there are no more bacteria or decayed materials
- The canal is filled with a composite resin or metal filling
and resealed
- If the tooth is still unstable or looks unsightly, a crown may
be placed over it to further reinforce it and improve its appearance
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