When a tooth needs a root canal, it is usually because of either a deep cavity, a break, a crack, or a chip that has gone through the hard protective enamel of the tooth. Under the enamel is a softer tissue called dentin and then under the dentin in the center of the tooth is the pulp. This pulp in the center of the tooth contains blood vessels and nerves that bring life to the tooth. When the tooth enamel is broken or worn away, exposing the soft dentin allows bacteria to get into the tooth pulp.
Once there is a way for bacteria to get into the pulp of the tooth, there is no way to stop it. The dentist is not able to create a seal that is effective enough to replace the tooth enamel. This means that while the tooth infection can be treated with antibiotics, that infection would keep coming back unendingly, and there was a time when this meant the tooth had to be removed to save a patient's health.
The one and the only way to save a tooth that has an opening of some sort running through its enamel is to first have the infected pulp inside the tooth removed. Then, the remaining space known as the pulp chamber, is sealed up with a material that will keep bacteria from traveling inside the tooth and into gums, jaw, and bloodstream.
This process has become very common, and while it was once regarded as unpleasant, thanks to modern anesthetics, patients are feeling no pain during, this allows the dentist to work more freely and efficiently at cleaning out and sealing this tooth so that patients can keep the tooth and underlying root in their jaw.
In addition to better anesthetics, a dentist also has motor handpieces that are far more accurate than cleaning by hand. The procedure is much faster and more effective now. There are also ultrasonic instruments that assist with canal irrigation and cleaning and also nickel-titanium files that are better for removing the pulp and all infections.
Other technological improvements are surgical microscopes to ensure the infection has been completely eradicated and digital X-rays that allow the dentist to see the tooth roots with amazing accuracy. It is also good to know that digital X-rays produce less radiation, and there is no delay in their development time, and this is one more reason the procedure moves quickly.
Once a tooth has been root canaled, your general dentistry office will want to have a crown made up and then install it. A crown is a covering that is designed to fit over the top of the tooth and is sealed to it. While crowns used to be made of a variety of visible materials, including gold and silver, they are now usually made with a composite material that matches the appearance of the patient's natural teeth. To place the crown, the underlying tooth is trimmed down slightly to ensure the crown does not impact the patient's natural bite pattern.
There are many benefits to getting a crown. It will add structural integrity to the tooth so that it lasts much longer, usually decades. The crown will also look beautiful in the mouth and deflect food from sitting on the tooth. Aside from the pulp being gone, patients will have a fully restored tooth, and they will be able to chew their food with it, which will make dining much more pleasurable.
It can be difficult for patients to decide if they want to try to save a tooth or have it removed. That is why individuals that have a known cavity or tooth pain should seek dental care as quickly as possible. Dentists have the ability to understand what is happening inside the tooth and help people understand their options. While dentists typically always want to keep a tooth in the mouth, they can work with patients to understand their concerns and design an appropriate treatment plan. Root canals are one of the final steps that a dentist can make to help eliminate the pain caused by an infected tooth, and to help save the tooth before it requires removal. This allows dentists to maintain the form, function, and appearance of the tooth without having to remove the tooth and replace it with a bridge or dental implant.
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