Few people really know what a root canal is, unless they have had root canal therapy themselves. Jerry Massimei, D.D.S., A.P.C, who specializes in providing gentle, experienced dental care to residents in Chula Vista, Eastlake and Bonita, California discusses root canals here. He runs his own practice, Jerry Massimei Dentistry, and sees root canal patients every week.
A root canal is a natural cavity within the center of every tooth. Root canal therapy is used to treat and save a tooth that has become badly damaged or infected due to trauma, injury or decay. The nerve and pulp are removed and the inside of the tooth, where the infection occurs, is cleansed and sealed.
In a healthy tooth, a root canal is filled with blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue. Within the root canal are the important vital structures, called pulp, which keep the tooth healthy by supplying moisture to the tooth to keep it flexible and a nutrient blood supply that can deliver reparative elements internally to the tooth to keep it healthy.
When an injury inside the root canal occurs, the pulp can become damaged or irritated. When that happens, it can lead to infection or pain. Damage to the pulp can happen for a variety of reasons, including trauma, a blow to the mouth or decay that eats its way down to the canal and affects the pulp.
Correcting Damaged Tissue
Root canal therapy will then be needed to correct it in order to remove the damaged tissues and fix the tooth. It involves cleaning out that root canal, using medications to dissolve and remove organic material, as well as to disinfect any bacteria from the root canal.
When the canal has been thoroughly disinfected and cleaned, it then it is filled with a root canal filler, usually a material called Gutta Tercha. It is a latex material that fills the canal and seals it, preventing the reentry of infected fluids and bacteria.
After root canal therapy is completed, it is important for the tooth to be protected with a post build-up protectant and crown to protect the remaining tooth structure, because a tooth will become brittle and subject to fracture after it has lost the revitalizing pulp tissue.
You may need a root canal if you experience any of the following:
- An abscess in your tooth
- Swelling that extends to other parts of the face or head
- Loss of bone near the tip of the root of the tooth
- Drainage into the skin from the gums or near the tooth from a hole in the tooth
A root canal can help save a tooth. So it’s important to see a dentist or endodontist if you experience any of the above. Even if you don’t need a root canal, your mouth will benefit from the special cleaning to ensure that everything is okay.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
