Root Canal treatment is a means of saving a tooth that has been damaged by infection, deep decay or injury. The purpose of treatment is to restore the tooth to good health so that it can function properly inside your mouth. The only alternative to root canal treatment is to have the tooth removed.

 

Deep inside every tooth is a pulp chamber and root canals that contain a living tissue called the pulp. The pulp is oftenly mistakenly called ‘the nerve’ but in fact it contains a fine network of blood vessels. If a large cavity in a tooth reaches the pulp or if a tooth breaks bacteria can reach the pulp and infect it. The root canals then become infected and inevitably an abscess forms in the bone and around the roots. Pain (sometimes severe) may occur at any time during this process and the infection can spread.

 

The purpose of the treatment is to remove the bacteria from inside the tooth and disinfect the root canals. This is done by making a hole through the tooth into the pulp chamber, locating and measuring the root canal lengths, then cleaning and widening them with fine files (the diagrams below may help you to understand).

 

Local anaesthesia is used throughout the procedure and every possible step is taken to ensure that you are comfortable whilst the work is carried out. Following treatment you will be informed if there is a possibility of discomfort. This is usually minor and doesn’t last long.

 

This can vary according to the complexity of the root canals and on which tooth is being treated as the number of roots that each tooth has varies. A front incisor/canine tooth will have one root, a premolar 1-2 roots and a molar may have 3+. Most treatment is completed in 1-2 sessions lasting around 60-90 minutes. This may seem a long time but it is essential to do the work thoroughly. Once treatment is underway many people actually fall asleep during the work!!

 

Root Canal does enjoy a high level of success, however, it should be remembered that it is impossible to guarantee the success of any medical procedure. Even with the best treatment healing may not occur due to circumstances beyond the control of the dentist. Should this happen further steps may need to be taken to eradicate the infection.

 

Treatment may weaken the tooth and make it brittle so it is essential that you return to your dentist so that the tooth can be properly protected. A crown is often necessary. Once it is restored the tooth can be used normally, until then it is wise not to bite too hard on it.

 

 

Your tooth has two basic parts: the crown is the part you see above the gum, and the roots anchor your tooth to your jawbone. Inside the crown and roots is soft tissue (pulp) that helps keep your tooth nourished.

Crown: An outer enamel layer and the dentine inside protect the tooth's underlying structures and prevent bacteria from entering the tooth.

Root: the root canals house the pulp and extend to the underlying bone. The pulp helps nourish the tooth and is made up of tiny blood vessels and nerves. The blood vessels carry nutrients to the tooth, and the nerves give feeling to the tooth. The bone holds the tooth with the help of tiny ligaments attached to the roots. The pulp tissue enters and exits through openings at the root tips.

 

A Decayed Tooth

  

Bacteria can invade your tooth through a loose filling, a cavity, or a crack. Your pulp becomes infected as it is attacked by bacteria. Eventually, the bacteria may destroy the pulp. The inflammation and infection spread down the root canal, often causing sensitivity to hot or cold foods, throbbing, aching, or pain when you chew. This may lead to the bone getting infected as the bacteria escape through the root openings. The bone breaks down, and your ligament surrounding the root may swell and loosen the tooth.

 

During treatment, the pulp is removed from your root canals through a small opening in the crown of the tooth (the bit that you see), using small files. Then the canals are cleaned, dried and disinfected.

 

The canals are then sealed with gutta percha (an inert material) that occupies the space vacated by the removal of the pulp. A permanent or temporary filling, depending on the future treatment plan, is then used to restore it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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