Root Canal Therapy - Endodontics treatment for Tooth Decay

Tooth Decay can affect the root canals which are passageways that branch off from beneath the top of the tooth, positioned vertically, until they reach the tip of the root. Root Canal Therapy can be an effective treatment for Tooth Decay.

All teeth have between one and four root canals.

Many tooth decay problems involve infections that spread to the pulp, which is the inner chamber of the tooth containing blood vessels, nerves and other tissues. When the infection becomes worse, it can begin affecting the roots. A traumatic injury to a tooth can also compromise the pulp, leading to similar problems.

An infected tooth causes various problems; pain and sensitivity are some of the first indications of a problem; but inside, a spreading infection can cause small pockets of pus to develop, leading to an abscess.

Root canal therapy is a remarkable Endodontics treatment with a very high rate of success, and involves removing the diseased tissue, halting the spread of infection and restoring the healthy portion of the tooth. In fact, root canal therapy is designed to save a problem tooth affected by tooth decay, Before the procedure was developed and gained acceptance, the only alternative for treating tooth decay was extraction.

Procedure

Root canal therapy as an Endodontic treatment usually involves up to three visits. During the first visit, a small hole is drilled through the top of the tooth and into the inner chamber where the tooth decay is. Diseased tissue is removed, the inner chamber is cleansed, measured and disinfected, and the canals reshaped. The cleansed chamber and canals are filled with a rubber material and medication designed to prevent infection. In most circumsatances a post is cemented into a canal, with a permanent filling placed on top. This tooth is then recommended to have a crown, usually 6-12 months following treatment.

Most patients who have Endodontics treatment for a root canal that has suffered tooth decay experience little or no discomfort or pain, and enjoy a restored tooth that can last almost as long as its healthy original.