Root Canal Therapy in Hollywood, Florida
Endodontics or root canal therapy is a commonly performed procedure on severely infected or damaged teeth. The name “root canal” actually comes from the procedure of cleaning the canals inside the tooth’s root system. It involves opening a tooth to remove damaged pulp on the inside, cleaning out any infected tissue, and filling and sealing the tooth back up. However, before you can really know what a root canal is, it is good to know the anatomy of a tooth and how it becomes infected.
How does the Pulp of a Tooth Become Infected?
The outermost layer of your tooth is the enamel, followed by another hard layer called the dentin. Then the softer core of the tooth is the pulp. It contains the nerves, blood vessels and other connective tissues of the pulp. The pulp extends from the crown into the tooth root, reaching all the way into the jawbone. When the outermost layer of the tooth becomes cracked or decayed, infection can penetrate the outer layer and enter the pulp.
Common Signs of Infected or Damaged Pulp
- Severe dental pain or persistent toothache
- Lasting sensitivity in hot or cold temperatures
- Tooth discoloration
- Recurring pimple on the gums
- Swelling and redness of localized gums
However, in some cases there may be no overt signs of pulp infection that a patient will notice. In these cases, sometimes the signs will only be obvious to your dentist. With routine dental x-rays and exams the dentist can stay abreast of any changes in your oral health. This will hopefully prevent any pain associated with infected pulp before it even becomes a problem.
Do I Need a Root Canal?
When the pulp inside the tooth becomes infected it begins to break down and bacteria will multiply within your tooth. Not only can this cause pain, swelling, and inflammation inside your mouth, but from there the damage can quickly spread. This is because the blood and lymphatic vessels inside the tooth become deteriorated or damaged. As such, the white blood cells cannot effectively reach the area and combat bacteria. Also, an abscess or infection filled pocket can form on the tip of the tooth root. This can also lead to bone loss, periodontal infection, tooth loss, and even swelling of the face or neck. If you notice any of the sings listed above, or simply have not had a checkup in a while, then do not delay. If treatment is sought early enough, root canal therapy may not even be needed.
Benefits of Root Canal Therapy
From a dental perspective, it is always best to retain as much of a natural tooth structure as possible. This is why root canal therapy is often performed over a full on extraction. Also, when compared to teeth replacement, a root canal is a less invasive and more affordable procedure. This treatment clears up bacteria, assisting your body’s natural infection-fighting process. Irritants are destroyed and your tooth can be fully restored.
Procedure for Endodontic Treatment
There are two parts of the process, cleaning the inside of the tooth and sealing it off. First the dentist will take x-rays and determine the extent of damage. Next, you will likely receive a local anesthetic to numb any pain or discomfort that may occur from a severely abscessed tooth. The dentist will then make a hole in the crown of a tooth to access the pulp chamber. The damaged pulp is then removed from the inside of the tooth. Then the inside of the tooth is flushed and cleaned, making sure to eliminate the risk of re-infection.
Next the inside of the tooth is reshaped and filled. In some cases, medication may be put inside the chamber or antibiotics might be prescribed to be sure infection is eliminated before sealing the tooth back up. Once the canals and pulp chamber have been filled, the dentist will install a crown on the tooth, restoring the tooth to proper form and function. Depending on the severity of infection, root canal therapy can take anywhere from one to three appointments.
Why Choose Dr. Karen Gordon for Root Canals?
There are many patients who fear getting a root canal because of inaccurate information they have heard about the procedure. In fact, they would prefer the damaged tooth to be extracted rather than undergo root canal therapy. Don’t let this be you. Dr. Gordon does all she can to make this procedure quick and comfortable. Most patients have very little pain associated with the treatment. In fact, it is probably more painful living with the damaged tooth than root canal therapy will be. The alternatives to endodontic treatment include extraction and replacing the tooth with an implant, bridge, or removable denture.
Millions of teeth are treated and saved with root canal therapy each year. This procedure has a 80 to 98 percent success rate, putting an end to any serious infection as quickly and naturally as possible. Contact us to learn more about root canal therapy or to schedule an exam. When it comes to infected pulp, you cannot afford to make assumptions or delay.
