Most people shudder when the hear the term root canal. The majority of root canals done today are pain free and successful. A root canal is a procedure done to help extend the life of a tooth. A root canal is the process of removing the infected, injured or dead tissue from the inside of a tooth.
Teeth are made up of three layers: The enamel, dentin and pulp. The pulp contains the nerve and blood supply to the tooth which is contained in a space on the inside of the tooth. When the pulp becomes inflamed the tissue can start to die. The body then tries to get rid of this dying tissue which creates an infection. The pulp can become inflamed for various reasons: a deep cavity, trauma, large filling or cracked tooth to name a few. Once the tooth is infected the only options are a root canal or extraction. If the tooth is left untreated it can create a chronic infection that can spread to the bone and other parts of your body.
A root canal is like a filling on the inside of the tooth. An opening is made in the top of the tooth to access the pulp. The area is cleaned, filed and irrigated, then dried and filled with a rubber material called gutta percha.
Root canals are very successful but like anything there can be problems that arise such as root fractures, tooth decay and re-infection. Root canal treatment may be completed in one or more appointments depending on the complexity of the tooth. It is also recommended that some teeth have a crown placed after a root canal to protect them from fracture.