WHO KNEW A ROOT CANAL COULD BE SO GOOD?
Root canals have a bad reputation among patients. However, with advanced techniques, proper training and the right tools, a root canal is a lot better than you think. In fact, many patients have said that the pain in the tooth is much worse than the actual root canal procedure.
Having a root canal is also preferable to other treatment options that involve extraction. Not only is it less painful and less expensive, but a root canal also allows you to keep your natural tooth.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING ROOT CANAL (ENDODONTIC) TREATMENT
Inflammation or Infection of Pulp Tissue
Once bacteria cause extensive inflammation or infection of pulp tissue, this diseased tissue must be removed and the canals in the center of the tooth must be disinfected. Taking antibiotics or other medications cannot remove this diseased tissue nor can these medications disinfect root canals because the blood vessels that would deliver those medications to the site of infection are destroyed when bacteria infect the root canal.
What happens during endodontic treatment?
After numbing the tooth, the problem that allowed bacteria to enter the center of the tooth is corrected by removing tooth decay or cracks. If enough healthy tooth remains after this process to allow your dentist to rebuild the missing tooth structure, root canal treatment begins. An opening is made through the chewing surface of your tooth to enter the pulp chamber— the center portion of the tooth where pulp tissues from different root canals merge together. The pulp chamber and root canals are then shaped with small instruments to allow disinfectants to reach to the very tip of your root.
Removal of Infected Tissue
The area around the tooth is numbed with a local anesthetic to start the procedure. We will then drill down into the tooth to create an opening into the canal. We are then able to remove infected tissue and clean the canal. After the infection has been removed, the space is filled with a sealant called gutta percha. It is highly recommended that any back chewing tooth (premolar or molar) that has undergone a root canal is fitted with a crown.
Reparation of the Tooth
Once the canals and chamber are cleaned and dried, the root canals are filled with a rubber-like material and adhesive cement. The pulp chamber and opening in the chewing surface of your tooth are then filled with a temporary filling material to protect the root canal treatment until your dentist can rebuild your tooth.
Healing of the Tooth
Properly performed root canal treatment decreases the number of bacteria in infected roots by more than 99% and promotes healing of infected tissues surrounding teeth that could cause serious health problems if left untreated.
WHO KNEW A ROOT CANAL COULD BE SO GOOD?
Most people equate a root canal with extreme pain and discomfort. However, Dr. Widmer’s specialty training in endodontics allows Treasure Valley Endodontics to provide advanced anesthesia and procedures that make the procedure as comfortable as possible. You’ll find that you have nothing to fear as a root canal from Treasure Valley Endodontics doesn’t cause pain, it relieves it.
