| ROOT CANALS |
The simple anatomy of a tooth is very important to understanding just what a
root canal is. Teeth have a biting portion that is exposed in the mouth called
a crown and a hidden part that stays below the gums and anchors the tooth
in place in the surrounding bone. This portion of the tooth is the root. The
inside of a tooth is made up of three basic layers. You can sort of think of
them like the layers of an onion. The outer layer, only found around the
crown, is the enamel. That's the extremely hard part and is considered the
hardest material in the human body. The layer under this is the dentin. It is a
softer part of the tooth and is also very sensitive when exposed to the
environment inside the mouth. The last, and deepest layer of the tooth is the
pulp. This is where all the nerves and blood vessels of the tooth are and,
therefore is also what keeps your tooth alive. The pulp is also a pretty hollow
part of the tooth. There is a big pulp chamber in the crown and "tube"-like
pulp, called "root canals", in the roots.
root canal is. Teeth have a biting portion that is exposed in the mouth called
a crown and a hidden part that stays below the gums and anchors the tooth
in place in the surrounding bone. This portion of the tooth is the root. The
inside of a tooth is made up of three basic layers. You can sort of think of
them like the layers of an onion. The outer layer, only found around the
crown, is the enamel. That's the extremely hard part and is considered the
hardest material in the human body. The layer under this is the dentin. It is a
softer part of the tooth and is also very sensitive when exposed to the
environment inside the mouth. The last, and deepest layer of the tooth is the
pulp. This is where all the nerves and blood vessels of the tooth are and,
therefore is also what keeps your tooth alive. The pulp is also a pretty hollow
part of the tooth. There is a big pulp chamber in the crown and "tube"-like
pulp, called "root canals", in the roots.
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| Copyright 2006 ALL CARE DENTAL, LLC |
What is a root canal?
Root canals refer to two things: an anatomical part of a tooth and it also refers
to a type treatment to that anatomy. Don't be alarmed! Root canals aren't as
bad as you may think!
First, to the anatomy of a tooth.
Root canals refer to two things: an anatomical part of a tooth and it also refers
to a type treatment to that anatomy. Don't be alarmed! Root canals aren't as
bad as you may think!
First, to the anatomy of a tooth.
Does a root canal hurt?
This is probably the MOST important question asked from any root canal
patient. For the most part, the quick answer is "NO"! Just like with many other
dental treatments, the tooth is numbed, so you shouldn't feel anything!
There is a big exception to the rule: when the tooth has an abscess near the
root. Sometimes abscessed teeth can posed a problem in that the abscess
absorbs the anesthetic, so a little more anesthetic than normal is usually
required. In most cases, that does the trick and no sensation at all is felt
afterward. This is why, in many cases, the dentist may need to prescribe an
antibiotic to the patient to reduce the swelling abscess before the root canal
is treated. It can help out tremendously! However, if a root canal is done with
an abscess, it is still OK. Many patients still feel nothing.
What happens after a root canal?
Your tooth should never hurt again, because it is without nerves.
Your dentist may require you get a crown on the tooth after the root canal is
complete (possibly at a subsequent appointment). This is for the tooth's
safety and is the absolute best investment for saving the tooth. The reason is
simple: to strengthen the tooth.
When a root canal is done the tooth no longer has any nutrients brought to it
from the blood vessels that were in the pulp. Nutrients naturally moistens the
tooth and makes it slightly flexible when chewing forces are on the tooth.
However, after a root canal the tooth becomes very brittle and will very likely
crack or fracture when biting down. If that were to happen, then the tooth may
need to be pulled because it may no longer be repairable.
So, a crown is a way for the tooth to become strong again and to withstand
the normal forces in the mouth that it is constantly being exposed to.
This is probably the MOST important question asked from any root canal
patient. For the most part, the quick answer is "NO"! Just like with many other
dental treatments, the tooth is numbed, so you shouldn't feel anything!
There is a big exception to the rule: when the tooth has an abscess near the
root. Sometimes abscessed teeth can posed a problem in that the abscess
absorbs the anesthetic, so a little more anesthetic than normal is usually
required. In most cases, that does the trick and no sensation at all is felt
afterward. This is why, in many cases, the dentist may need to prescribe an
antibiotic to the patient to reduce the swelling abscess before the root canal
is treated. It can help out tremendously! However, if a root canal is done with
an abscess, it is still OK. Many patients still feel nothing.
What happens after a root canal?
Your tooth should never hurt again, because it is without nerves.
Your dentist may require you get a crown on the tooth after the root canal is
complete (possibly at a subsequent appointment). This is for the tooth's
safety and is the absolute best investment for saving the tooth. The reason is
simple: to strengthen the tooth.
When a root canal is done the tooth no longer has any nutrients brought to it
from the blood vessels that were in the pulp. Nutrients naturally moistens the
tooth and makes it slightly flexible when chewing forces are on the tooth.
However, after a root canal the tooth becomes very brittle and will very likely
crack or fracture when biting down. If that were to happen, then the tooth may
need to be pulled because it may no longer be repairable.
So, a crown is a way for the tooth to become strong again and to withstand
the normal forces in the mouth that it is constantly being exposed to.
During a root canal, all of the
pulp within the tooth is removed
and the hollow portion of the
tooth is cleaned and smoothed
to allow a permanent filler to be
placed within.
A root canal begins by numbing
the tooth and opening the top of
the tooth in the same way as a
regular filling (see FILLINGS).
The opening goes into the hollow
pulp and the dentist cleans this
area out with special
instruments. Since the tooth is
numb, you shouldn't feel any pain
at all. Once the pulp is removed
the tooth is then considered a
"dead" tooth and no more pain
should be felt within the tooth
again. After pulp removal and
cleaning, a rubbery antibacterial
filler material is permanently
placed within. A permanent filling
is then placed on the top of the
tooth (the same type as a regular
filling), where the initial opening
was made. This stage is
sometimes called a "build-up".
That's it
pulp within the tooth is removed
and the hollow portion of the
tooth is cleaned and smoothed
to allow a permanent filler to be
placed within.
A root canal begins by numbing
the tooth and opening the top of
the tooth in the same way as a
regular filling (see FILLINGS).
The opening goes into the hollow
pulp and the dentist cleans this
area out with special
instruments. Since the tooth is
numb, you shouldn't feel any pain
at all. Once the pulp is removed
the tooth is then considered a
"dead" tooth and no more pain
should be felt within the tooth
again. After pulp removal and
cleaning, a rubbery antibacterial
filler material is permanently
placed within. A permanent filling
is then placed on the top of the
tooth (the same type as a regular
filling), where the initial opening
was made. This stage is
sometimes called a "build-up".
That's it
2043 E. Southern Ave.,
Suite D
Tempe, AZ 85282
(480) 820-7225
Suite D
Tempe, AZ 85282
(480) 820-7225