Root
canal therapy is designed to correct disorders of the dental
pulp -- the soft tissue inside the tooth that contains nerves,
blood vessels, and connective tissue. Teeth with abscessed,
or infected, nerves were once removed with corrective therapy.
But now, in 95 percent of these cases of pulpal infection, the
natural tooth can be saved through modern endodontic procedures.
(Also called pulp specialists, endodontists have undergone specialized
training in performing root canal therapy.
What
causes pulpal nerve damage?
The
most common causes of pulpal nerve damage are:
• physical irritation - generally brought on by aggressive
tooth decay (cavity) reaching down to the nerve or through deep
fillings, which allows harmful bacteria to reach the nerve resulting
in infection and decay
• trauma - a blow to a tooth or the jaw can cause damage
to sensitive nerve tissue within the tooth.
What are the symptoms of pulpal nerve damage?
The following are the most common symptoms of pulpal nerve damage.
However, each individual may experience symptoms differently.
Symptoms may include:
• pain in the tooth when biting down
• tooth pain while chewing
• oversensitivity of the teeth with hot or cold drinks
• facial swelling
The
symptoms of pulpal nerve damage may resemble other oral health
conditions. Consult a dentist, or other oral health specialist,
for diagnosis.
Why
is root canal therapy necessary?
Without
treatment, the infection of the dental pulp will spread to the
bone around the tooth, making it not longer able to hold the
tooth in place.
What
does the root canal procedure involve?
Treatment
begins with the initial removal of the tooth crown, or top,
to allow access to the pulpal tissue. Once the affected pulpal
tissue is exposed, the affected area is removed. The area surrounding
and containing the pulpal tissue is carefully cleaned, enlarged,
and shaped to provide a clean, bondable surface for filling
with a permanent filler to prohibit any further infection and
discomfort. After filling, a crown is fabricated to complete
the rescue and restoration of the natural tooth. The procedure
is generally spread over several visits to assure the infected
pulp and associated bacteria have been adequately drained.
Post-Operative
Care Following a Root Canal
Once
the root canal therapy is completed, there will be changes to
adapt to, including:
• brittleness - a pulp-less tooth is more brittle than
a non-treated tooth and great care should be used to avoid fracture
and chipping
• discoloration - a non-vital tooth may become discolored
over time, which can be treated with bleaching. In most cases,
the discoloration poses no threat to the health of the tooth.
In addition, soft tissue inflammation may be a source of irritation
in the weeks following surgery. Consult your dentist, or other
oral health specialist, for a treatment approach to help control
any post-operative swelling and discomfort.
If
you require any more information on EMERGENCY
DENTISTRY IN SYDNEY please do not hesitate to
contact us.
..
.
.
.....
....Copyright
2006: The Smiles Dr | All Rights Reserved | Cosmetic
Dentist | Toothache Dentist | Emergency
Dentist | Public Holiday Dentist
