Dental Care - Root Canal Treatments - written by Moses Wright

If you have tooth decay that goes deep inside the innermost layers of a tooth, the pulp of the tooth can become infected. Sometimes, if you have a very bad infection, you can see an abscess form. Other times, however, the infection won't happen, but the pulp will become very inflamed.

Decay from your tooth isn't the only way that your tooth can be infected or inflamed. You can also see this from a serious mouth injury or trauma to the mouth. The only way to remedy the situation and save the tooth in this instance is to undergo a dental treatment that is known as a root canal.

If you need a root canal and don't get one done, the infection in your tooth can spread. The tooth might then need to be extracted at a later date instead. Sometimes, people think that they will skip the root canal and just have the tooth pulled since it needs to be done anyways, but this isn't the case. You might have a weaker tooth, but it will still work since it will be covered by a crown or another filling with composite material. The procedure can last a lifetime and be very successful if done correctly. It's better to do the root canal than have your tooth pulled entirely. No matter how much the root canal costs, the dental implant or bridge is far worse, financially.

There are several major steps in a root canal. The first one is the one most important to the patient - the delivery of the local anesthesia. The patient can be sedated for this if they have an intense fear of the process. Once the patient is ready, the dentist will then cut through the crown of the tooth. This cut has to be made in order to get down into the chamber of the tooth with the pulp in it. The dentist will have to take an x-ray to get a better idea of the canals. Next, the dentist cleans out the infected pulp using a tool called an endodontic file. There will also be antiseptic to clean out the infection.

After the canal has been cleaned, it will be filled with a substance called gutta-percha. This material is permanent and ensures that the canals don't suffer similar infection in the future or become contaminated. After the canals have been cleaned and fixed with the gutta-percha, you will need to repair the hole that the tooth has in it.

The hole will need to filled temporarily until the crown is able to be put on the tooth. The crown needs to be adjusted and fit perfectly before it can be permanently attached to the tooth for a lifetime solution.

Of course, there might be some pain after the procedure has taken place, but once the infection is cleared, typically the pain goes away as well. Pain medication can help during the interim phases until the pain clears.