Root Canal Procedure
Root canal therapy treats the inside of a tooth, called the nerve by many, but more accurately described as tooth pulp. This root canal system contains nerves, but there are also arteries, veins, lymphatic vessels and connective tissue included in the pulp that help your teeth grow and develop.
Germs can find their way inside this system through deep cavities, cracks, or flawed dental fillings, at which point your tooth can become infected. This infection can then cause the pulp to die, after which the tooth will fall out. It's also possible that bacteria can enter the pulp inside teeth and cause an infection in the root tip and jaw bone, leading to an abscess, which can go on to damage bone around the teeth. If left untreated, an abscessed tooth can cause serious oral health problems. A root canal procedure removes the infected pulp while saving that tooth.
Root Canal Procedure Information
It could take one to three visits to complete a root canal; however, the procedure is not as unpleasant as most people think. A dentist specializing in problems of tooth pulp removes the diseased pulp. The entire area is then cleaned and sealed. Medications may be put inside the pulp chamber to get rid of germs and prevent infection. During the last stage, a crown is usually placed over any teeth that undergo a root canal procedure.
Recovery Time
You will experience pain and swelling for a few days after the root canal procedure, but your dentist will provide you with medication to counteract the pain and ensure there is no infection.
It may be a few weeks before you are completely back to normal and eating all your usual foods. The restored tooth could last a lifetime as long as you take care of it.
