What is involved in a root canal procedure?

After numbing and isolating the tooth with a rubber dam, the dentist makes an opening thru the top or back of the tooth into the pulp chamber. The pulp is removed from the chamber and from each root which is cleaned and shaped. The roots then are filled and permanently sealed with a biocompatible material, usually gutta percha. A buildup material is then placed in the chamber and the tooth is ready for a crown if needed.

Will the tooth need any special care or additional treatment?

The tooth is often weakened following root canal therapy and would need to be restored or covered with a crown, particularly if it is a molar or back tooth.

What is root canal treatment?

Root canal treatment is the process by which the pulp,or nerve, inside the tooth, is removed because it has become infected and died or abscessed. Once removed, it is replaced with materials that seal off the roots. In the old days, teeth had to be removed when the pulp was injured;now the majority can be saved by doing a root canal.
 

Why does the pulp need to be removed?

If it is not removed, the tissues surrounding the root can become infected or abscessed, resulting in pain and swelling. The infection can spread bacteria throughout the body if left untreated. Without treatment ,the tooth may need to be removed.

What is the dental pulp?

The pulp is the soft tissue that contains the blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue of the tooth. It lies in a canal that runs through the center of the tooth.This is what allows us to feel hot and cold, pain, and electrical impulses.

What happens if the pulp gets injured?

When the pulp is injured or infected and unable to heal itself, it loses its vitality or dies off. the most common causes of pulpal death are a cracked tooth, deep decay, or traumatic injury to the tooth which may be from an accident,fillings and crowns over time, or even grinding one' s teeth.