Therefore, most endodontists today use state-of-the-art technology including digital (radiographic) imaging to diagnose root canal problems, and after treatment to verify that the canals are properly sealed ultrasonic instrumentation to remove old canal fillings and posts and clean canals and operating microscopes to accurately locate, visualize and seal root canal systems it really is quite high-tech. Since root canals are very small spaces, they require a great deal of precision and care to treat well. Knowledge Is PowerĪlmost like the root system of a plant, the root canals of a tooth have a main branch and many smaller side branches, and the whole system needs to be sealed during root canal treatment to be successful long term. This step is of particular importance since many studies show that if the filled root canals are recontaminated with bacteria from the mouth, there could be a recurrence of infection around the tooth. Your endodontist will send you back to your general dentist to determine which type of restoration is best for you. Your tooth will need a permanent restoration - a filling or a crown - to replace lost tooth structure, and provide a complete seal to the top of the tooth. It is normal to have some minor discomfort after treatment including slight soreness that can usually be managed with over-the-counter (aspirin, ibuprofen) medications or prescription (codeine-type) drugs, or a combination of the two. After-effects of treatment are minimal, generally lasting from a couple of days to about a week. Be sure to follow the instructions of your dentist or endodontist carefully. Protect it from recontamination and future damage.Īfter the procedure, an antibiotic may be prescribed to treat or prevent infection. Then a crown is usually placed over the tooth to seal and Root canal filling material (gutta percha) is placed in the canals and the tooth is sealed with a temporary filling to protect it from contamination. If the tooth lacks sufficient structure to hold a restoration (filling) in place, the dentist or endodontist may place a post (either metal or a very strong plastic) in one of the canals inside the tooth to help retain it. Step 8Ī temporary or permanent filling material will then be placed to seal the access hole that was made to treat the canals, and the dental dam is removed. Sealing the canals is critically important to prevent them from becoming reinfected with bacteria. Together with adhesive cement called a sealer, the gutta-percha fills the prepared canal space. It is a thermoplastic material (“thermo” – heat “plastic” – to shape), which literally is heated and then compressed into and against the walls of the root canals to seal them. Usually a rubber-like material called gutta-percha is used to fill the canal space. Root canal fillings are selected that will exactly fit into the freshly prepared canals. The canals are washed and cleaned again to remove root canal debris prior to sealing them. The canals are then shaped with tiny flexible instruments to allow them to receive root canal fillings and sealers. The canals are disinfected with antiseptic and antibacterial solutions. Once the pulp, along with the nerves contained in it, is removed, the tooth itself can no longer feel pain. This is not painful the area is numb and the tissue being removed is either dead or dying. The diseased and dead pulp tissue is removed from the tooth with specially designed instruments used to clean out the root canals and pulp chamber. Step 3Ī small access hole is drilled through the biting surface of an affected back tooth or from behind a front tooth, allowing access to the pulp chamber and root canals for treatment. This allows the root canal treatment to be carried out in a sterile environment free from contamination by bacteria found in saliva or the rest of the mouth. The tooth undergoing treatment protrudes through a hole punched in the dam, isolating it from the rest of the mouth. Dental dam in place, used to isolate infected tooth from the rest of mouth to facilitate root canal treatment.Ī dental dam - a thin sheet of rubber or vinyl - will be placed over the affected and adjacent teeth.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |