We are a full-service dental office, providing complete
family dentistry. Dr. Salem's practice encompasses
preventative, prosthetic/reconstructive, oral surgery,
gum/soft tissue management, root canal therapy, implant and
cosmetic dentistry and treatment of Temporal Mandibular
Joint disease.
We offer a broad range of treatments and services all under
one roof. Some procedures are not listed - please call our
office for more information.
Patient Education:
Root Canals
Root
Canal Treatment
If your tooth’s nerve
chamber becomes infected
by decay, root canal
treatment is often the
only way to save your
tooth.
Inside your tooth’s hard
outer shell is a
nourishing pulp of blood
vessels, lymph vessels,
and nerves. The root
canals, which contain
the pulp, extend to the
bone.
Diagram of a healthy
tooth.
What is root canal
treatment?
Your
dentist uses root canal
treatment to find the
cause and then treat
problems of the tooth's
soft core (the dental
pulp). Years ago, teeth
with diseased or injured
pulps were removed.
Today, root canal
treatment has given
dentists a safe way of
saving teeth.
What is the dental pulp?
The
pulp is the soft tissue
that contains nerves,
blood vessels and
connective tissue. It
lies within the tooth
and extends from the
crown of the tooth to
the tip of the root in
the bone of the jaws. |
|
|
|
Indication
Deep tooth
decay, or an
injury, can
cause serious
damage and
infection to the
pulp’s nerves
and vessels.
Root canal, or
endodontic,
treatment cleans
out the infected
pulp chamber and
repairs the
damage.
Some indications
of the need for
root canal
treatment may
be:
Spontaneous
pain or
throbbing while
biting.
Sensitivity
to hot and cold
foods.
Severe decay
or an injury
that creates an
abscess
(infection) in
the bone.
An abscessed
(infected)
tooth caused by
tooth decay.
What happens if
the pulp gets
injured?
When the pulp is
diseased or
injured and
can't repair
itself, it dies.
The most common
cause of pulp
death is a
cracked tooth or
a deep cavity.
Both of these
problems can let
germs (bacteria)
enter the pulp.
Germs can cause
an infection
inside the
tooth. Left
without
treatment, pus
builds up at the
root tip, in the
jawbone, forming
a "pus-pocket"
called an
abscess. An
abscess can
cause damage to
the bone around
the teeth.
Why does the
pulp need to be
removed?
When the
infected pulp is
not removed,
pain and
swelling can
result. Certain
byproducts of
the infection
can injure your
jaw bones.
Without
treatment, your
tooth may have
to be removed. |
|
|
|
|
Treatment
|
What
does treatment involve?
Treatment often involves
from one to three
visits. During
treatment, your dentist
removes the diseased
pulp. The pulp chamber
and root canal(s) of the
tooth are then cleaned
and sealed.
Here's how your tooth is
saved through treatment:
-
First, an opening is
made through the
crown of the tooth.
An opening is
made through the
crown
of the tooth into
the pulp chamber.
-
The pulp is then
removed. The root
canal(s) is cleaned
and shaped to a form
that can be filled.
The pulp is
removed, and the
root
canals are cleaned,
enlarged and shaped.
-
Medications may be
put in the pulp
chamber and root
canal(s) to help get
rid of germs and
prevent infection.
- A
temporary filling
will be placed in
the crown opening to
protect the tooth
between dental
visits. Your dentist
may leave the tooth
open for a few days
to drain. You might
also be given
medicine to help
control infection
that may have spread
beyond the tooth.
The pulp chamber
and root
canals are filled
and sealed.
-
The temporary
filling is removed
and the pulp chamber
and root canal(s)
are cleaned and
filled.
-
In the final step, a
gold or porcelain
crown is usually
placed over the
tooth. The crown
of the tooth is then
restored.
How
long will the restored
tooth last?
Your
restored tooth could
last a lifetime, if you
continue to care for
your teeth and gums.
However, regular
checkups are necessary.
As long as the root(s)
of a treated tooth are
nourished by the tissues
around it, your tooth
will remain healthy.
   |
|
|
|
|
