Cosmetic Dentistry & Implant Dentistry
Carrollton, Texas
Dr. Kim D.D.S., F.I.C.O.I., F.M.I.I.I.
1st Smile Dental Care

Excellence in Cosmetic Dentistry

Oral Health Topics:
　

Root Canal Treatment
Procedure-Start to Finish:

• A Deep Decay into pulp chamber with Infections draining to the Bottom of the root tip with Abscess. Infection or Abscess causes a swelling and pain around the area of the Tooth involved.
  Root canal treatment is needed when the tooth's root becomes infected or inflamed through injury or advanced decay.

•  In order to relieve the pain and we need to Drain the abscess. A Route to the Root canal is needed. The tooth is anesthetized. An opening is made through the crown of the tooth to the pulp chamber.
  　

• Removing the Infected/Inflamed Tissue and Drainage of Infections inside  tooth canal and from Bone thru root canals. Special files are used to clean the infection and unhealthy pulp out of the canals. Irrigation is used to help clean the main canal and lateral canal.

• Filling the Canals.
  The canals are filled with a permanent material, often gutta-percha ( Rubber Like Material) with resin cements. This seals the tooth root canal and helps to keep the canals free of infection or contamination which in turn stops the infections draining to the bone thru root canals ever again.

•  As the Center of Tooth is empty and has no more blood supply into the Tooth, Tooth gets very brittle and weak to the pressure. For a Extra Support, a post and Composite Resin  build up is done.

• Even with post and core build up, root canal treated Tooth can Fracture right down to the bottom of the Root needing a Extraction. Therefore, to protect the the Tooth and to hold a tooth in place, A crown, sometimes called a cap, is made to look like a natural tooth is placed on top.

Root Canal Treatments FAQ:

What is root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment is a means of saving a tooth that has been damaged by deep decay, breakage, or infection. The purpose of treatment is to restore the tooth to good health so that it can function properly inside your mouth.




Why should a tooth need to be root treated?
Deep inside every tooth is a pulp chamber and root canals that contain living tissue called the pulp. The pulp is often mistakenly referred to as the 'nerve', but in fact it contains a fine network of tissue fibers, nerves, and blood vessels. If a large cavity in a tooth reaches the pulp chamber, or if a tooth breaks, bacteria can reach the pulp. These bacteria damage the pulp and eventually destroy it. The root canals become infected and inevitably an abscess forms beneath the root of the tooth, in the jawbone.




How is a root canal treatment done?
The purpose of the treatment is to remove the bacteria from inside the tooth and to disinfect the root canals. This is achieved by making a small hole through the tooth into the pulp chamber, locating and measuring the root canals, then cleaning and widening them using fine instruments called files.

Once clean, the canals are filled to seal them from re-infection. In most cases an abscess will start to heal at this point.




Is it painful?
NO. Local anesthesia is used throughout the procedure. With modern anesthetic solutions and a new computerized injection system technique, every possible step is taken to ensure that you are comfortable while the work is carried out.

Following treatment you will be informed of the possibility of discomfort from the area. This is usually minor, and does not last long.




What if am nervous about dental treatment?
Your own particular requirements can and will be discussed before treatment is undertaken.

If you are considerably anxious, oral or intravenous sedation can be arranged. As your safety is of paramount concern, the presence to an anesthetist to administer the sedation would be recommended.




Are a large number of x-rays taken?
The only way to ascertain what is happening inside and underneath teeth is through the use of x-rays. Radiographs taken inside the mouth are of minimal dose and pose virtually no danger.

To further reduce the risk, the practice has invested in the very latest digital x-ray system, which reduces the already small radiation dose by a further 80%. This means that for the same dose of one traditional dental film, five digital x-rays can be taken.




How long does treatment take?
This can vary according to the complexity of the root canals, or if re-treatment is being carried out. Initial consultations are usually made for half an hour.

A follow-up appointment of between one to two hours may be required. On some occasions it may be possible to complete treatment in one extended appointment.
 



Is success guaranteed?
Root canal treatment does enjoy a high level of success. However, it should be remembered that it is impossible to guarantee the success of any medical procedure.

Even with the very best treatment, equipment and magnification, healing may not occur due to circumstances beyond the control of the physician. Should this occur further steps may need to be taken to eradicate the infection.

　

© 2010 Dr. Kim DDS