Root canal treatment, also referred to as endodontic therapy, is the procedure that treats the inner pulp of a tooth. This pulp tissue contains the nerve of the tooth, blood vessels, lymph vessels and connective tissue. The pulp is contained within the pulp chamber and the roots of the tooth. The pulp chamber is located above the gumline while the root canals are located below the gumline, or in the tooth roots. Root canal treatments play an essential role in modern dentistry. They can save teeth that have been badly damaged or decayed which may have otherwise has to be removed.
The nerve in the tooth provides sensory function, but not in the same way that many other nerves throughout the body do. For instance, if you press against your tooth, the pressure you feel comes not from the nerve inside your tooth but from the nerves surrounding your tooth. The nerve in your tooth may, however, signal when something is wrong. If there is tooth decay, a crack, or a break in your tooth, you may experience a sharp or throbbing pain.
This pain indicates the nerve inside the tooth is inflamed, infected or even dying. Your dentist may perform tests to determine the type and extent of the problem and the best way of managing the tooth. A root canal treatment can resolve many of these problems. Your dentist will remove the damaged pulp, clean out the bacteria and organic debris, treat any active infection and seal your tooth against further contamination.
If the tooth is not treated, the pain may continue, and toxins from the infection or inflammation could continue to leak out of the tooth and into surrounding tissues, creating an unhealthy environment for adjacent teeth and increasing the risk for tooth and bone loss. The body's immune system cannot adequately fight against an infection located within the pulp of a tooth, and an abscessed tooth may develop.
Root canal treatments have gotten a bad reputation over the years, and many individuals experience anxiety over the idea of needing root canal treatments. In reality, modern dentistry has made the procedure quite comfortable. The administration of anesthetics makes sure that individuals will feel no pain during the treatment. If you have an active infection, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics to control the infection before the treatment, and your tooth may feel more sensitive or tender after the procedure.
When the pulp has been cleaned out and the tooth disinfected, your dentist will place a temporary or permanent filling or a dental crown to restore your tooth. This final step in the root canal treatment process makes sure the tooth is protected against re-infection, and it strengthens it against future damage.
Visit WilshireDentalCare.com, Los Angeles dentist office to learn more. Our Los Angeles endodontist and root canal treatment specialist can help you as well.