Are you suffering from recurrent tooth pain? Do simple activities like biting and chewing hurt your teeth and cause discomfort? You may be suffering from extensive tooth infection involving the pulp. The nerve endings in the pulp may be infected resulting in pain, discomfort, and increased sensitivity.
This is treated thoroughly by our renowned dentist in San Diego, CA, and their team of endodontists to repair, restore, and rehabilitate the affected tooth. The procedure offered is known as root canal treatment. Read on to learn everything about this procedure.
What is root canal treatment?
Root canal therapy (RCT) is a comprehensive endodontic procedure that aids in restoring a severely damaged or infected tooth. RCT involves the removal of the infected pulp (the central part of the tooth that consists of nerves and blood vessels) and refilling the root canals with a biocompatible material. Finally, the tooth is sealed permanently with a customized dental crown.
When is root canal treatment indicated?
Your dentist may recommend root canal therapy for the following:
- A large prominent tooth decay
- Trauma or injury to the teeth
- Infection that may have developed near the root tip
- The presence of pus discharging abscess near the tooth, resulting in swelling
- Prophylactic procedure for teeth that support a dental bridge
What are the signs that suggest the need for root canal treatment?
You may need to undergo root canal treatment if you experience any of the following signs and symptoms:
- Excruciating, persistent tooth pain that doesn’t go away even after taking medication
- Pain radiating to the ear, jaws, or neck
- Extreme sensitivity to heat and cold foods
- An abscess on your gums with or without pus discharge
- Swollen and tender jaw
- Tooth discoloration
- Pain on application of pressure (while chewing or biting)
- Chipped or cracked teeth
- Loose/mobile teeth
How is root canal treatment performed?
Root canal therapy is a safe and simple procedure involving the following steps:
- Tooth isolation with rubber dam that helps in moisture control
- Administration of local anesthesia to numb the affected tooth and surrounding gums
- Access opening by drilling a hole using ultrasonic instruments in the tooth crown
- Pulp removal through rotary files
- Shaping the root canals through a process called biomechanical preparation
- Cleaning and disinfecting the root canals
- Filling the empty canals with a flexible, biocompatible material called gutta-percha
- Sealing the tooth with a temporary filling material to prevent reinfection
- Placing a final restoration in the form of a dental crown
With advanced technology in the field of dentistry, you can permanently restore a severely infected tooth with revolutionary procedures like root canal therapy. This can enhance your oral form, function, and aesthetics for a complete rejuvenation.
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