Root canal also known as endodontic treatment.

                                         

Root canal treatment (RCT) is a dental procedure that replaces a tooth’s damaged or infected pulp with a filling. The pulp is the tooth's lifeline – its vessels, tissue fibres and nerves in the central hollow of the tooth keep it alive. The procedure to replace this damaged or infected pulp is also known as endodontic treatment. Family Smiles Dental is suitably located at 1011 N Hwy 77, Ste 105, Waxahachie, is the  best option available and dental clinic near by .

Success rates for endodontic treatment are generally good. About 90 to 95 per cent of people who undergo root canal treatment can expect a functional tooth after the treatment. The treated tooth should last a very long time, provided that you maintain good oral hygiene and generally look after your teeth. Of course, no therapy or replacement will last as well as a healthy tooth.

Tooth structure

A tooth is mainly made of a hard material called dentine. Enamel is the surface layer that protects the visible part of the tooth (crown). The part of the tooth that sits beneath the gum line is called the  root. The root helps to anchor the tooth into the jaw. Generally, front teeth have only one root, while molars generally have up to three. Within each root, there can be multiple canal spaces. 

The main function of the dental pulp is to regulate the growth and development of the tooth during childhood. Once the tooth is fully formed, nutrition for the tooth comes from the tissues surrounding the root. Therefore, a tooth can function without its pulp and, in the majority of cases, can be kept indefinitely. After endodontic treatment, the tooth is ‘pulpless’, but it is not a dead tooth. 

Symptoms of tooth pulp damage or disease

A diseased tooth pulp may cause inflammation or infection. The symptoms of a damaged or diseased tooth pulp may include:

• unprovoked or spontaneous pain
• sensitivity to hot and cold drinks and foods
• pain when biting or chewing
• loosening of the tooth
• swelling of the gum near the affected tooth
• oozing of pus surrounding the affected tooth
• facial swelling.

spreading infection – once the pulp becomes infected, it loses its ability to fight the spread of the infection. If bacteria find their way into the pulp chamber, the bacteria will multiply. This can cause a severe infection or an endodontic abscess (a pocket or ‘blister’ of pus) when it spreads into the surrounding bone

localised bone loss – the infection may spread around the ends of the infected root canal and erode surrounding jaw bone

loss of tooth – the tooth may have to be removed, which interferes with the person’s ability to bite and chew and may affect appearance if the tooth is near the front of the mouth. Tooth replacement with dentures, bridges or dental implants are costly and may not be possible or tolerated, especially if the infection has already caused advanced bone loss.

Diagnosis of tooth pulp problems

The dentist will listen to your symptoms, examine your teeth and perform other investigations including taking x-rays. These x-rays also help the dentist to plan for the root canal treatment by revealing the number, size, shape and depth of the roots, which shows how complicated the procedure may be. 

Root canal procedure

removing active decay and infection – any old or leaky fillings, tooth decay, infected nerve tissue, pus and debris are removed

shaping the canals – in order to be filled well, the canals within the tooth root need to be shaped into smooth, hollow tunnels that are free of irregularities where residual bacteria may sit. This shaping process involves small instruments, special disinfectants and medication. It may take a few weeks to months for these solutions to take maximum effect against stubborn bacteria within the tooth, and this step may have to be repeated several times

filling the canals – to prevent bacteria from re-infecting the empty canals in your tooth, they are permanently sealed with a long-lasting barrier material

making the tooth functional again – to make sure no bacteria from the oral environment can leak back into the tooth, a large, well-sealed restoration is put on the tooth (such as a crown). Teeth that require root canal treatment have sometimes lost considerable tooth structure due to previous decay or cracks, and may require further protection in the form of porcelain, gold alloy crowns or other similar materials.

Call us at (972) 351-9110 or visit www.familysmilestx.com to schedule your appointment.

Find us at:

1011 N Hwy 77, Ste 105

Waxahachie, 

TX 75165