Root canal treatment

Root canal treatment (also called Endodontic treatment) is a specialty of dentistry which involves the saving of diseased teeth. Its purpose is to conserve teeth that have been so damaged by decay, fracture and abscess that normal restorative procedures are no longer possible. Retaining a tooth without a nerve (or pulp) by means of root canal treatment is a far better solution than removal of the tooth and filling in the space with any type of prosthetic device.

WHY DOES A TOOTH NEED ROOT CANAL TREATMENT?

The most common reason is as a result of tooth decay (a cavity) which is so deep that it is very close to the nerve of the tooth. This cavity is caused by bacteria which burrow into the tooth, and when the cavity is too deep, these bacteria can enter into the pulp and cause an infection to develop.The body's own defence system goes into action and sends cells to combat these bacteria. Because the entry into the root canals is so fine, these cells cannot enter and do their job, and so they gather at the base of the root, where they form an abscess (a pool of cells and fluid). It is these cells and their products that can actually cause the pain that eventually develops in an infected tooth. It is for this same reason that antibiotics are not effective, as they cannot enter the root canal in sufficient quantities to destroy the bacteria.

A fracture in the tooth can cause the same problem by allowing bacteria to filter through the tooth and into the pulp, in what may otherwise be a perfectly healthy tooth.

WHAT IF MY TOOTH DOESN'T HURT?

An infected tooth may not cause pain at the time of diagnosis, and this has more to do with the slow nature of the infection, and the severity of the body's immune response to the infection. An infected tooth may remain without symptoms for some time, and may become painful without notice or reason. It may also be "woken up" by the removal of a deep old filling which may have been placed years before.

WHAT DOES IT INVOLVE?

Treatment is usually accomplished in 3 visits, as endodontic treatment requires a precise and exacting technique. These visits will usually follow the following pattern:

1. Opening, measurement, cleansing and medication of canals

2. Complete cleansing and change medication in canals

3. Final filling and sealing of canals

With the appropriate care, experience, and the proper delivery of a local anaesthetic, root canal treatment is seldom a painful experience. Much depends upon the condition of the tooth, the degree and duration of involvement, and the individual's own body reactions. Since we have the means to control discomfort, one need not be apprehensive or nervous.

While treatment is relatively painless, at times tenderness or even swelling can occur between visits. These reactions may tend to prolong treatment, but they do not alter the chances for success.

HOW SUCCESSFUL IS ROOT CANAL TREATMENT?

A tooth will not be treated unless there is a very good chance of success. While there is no certainty with respect to healing, we expect proper healing to occur in about 95% of cases. With proper root canal treatment and subsequent protective care, treated teeth can be expected to remain useful and functional indefinitely. The proven rate of success is so consistently high that no patient need feel they are taking an unnecessary risk in attempting to save a diseased tooth.

After root canal therapy is complete most teeth require a crown to reinforce the tooth , and to protect against fracture of the remaining tooth enamel.

Proper treatment and good continuing health care will keep the treated tooth useful, beautiful, and functioning indefinitely.