What is a Root Canal?
A root canal is a technique that dentists use to extract the infected insides of a tooth. Technically speaking, a root canal refers to sections in the root of the tooth that store a soft tissue called tooth pulp. If a tooth is cracked, chipped, or suffers from a severe cavity, the pulp may become exposed and infected. Once this happens it is necessary to have the substance removed and replaced with a synthetic material which an infection cannot use to survive.
The Procedure:
Step 1: A dentist creates an opening in the top of the tooth, or Crown, exposing the tooth pulp. This is the soft tissue within the tooth that is causing the pain and infection you are experiencing.
Step 2: The infected material is removed from both the pulp chamber and the root canals. A small insrument (usually refered to as a file) is used to scrape all the material out of the inside of the very narrow root canals. Sometimes the bone in the tooth will also be reshaped so that the tooth can be filled and sealed easier. Usually this is the end of the first visit in a series, and a temporary cap is made to cover the large empty hole on top of the tooth.
Step 3: At the next appointment. the temporary cap is removed and a temporary filling material is inserted into the hollow chambers which used to be filled with pulp. In order to foresee any problems, Xrays are taken at certain increments of the entire procedure. Thiis filling will prevent infections for a temporary amount of time.
Step 4: Another appointment may have to be made at a different location, as a specialist is usually required to perform this step. The previous filling has to be removed and replaced with a better, more long lasting material. The cap placed on the tooth is also typically replaced with a better synthetic crown.
Step 5: Make sure that you book further appointments to check up on the results of the procedure after a certain period of time. Mistakes can be made by doctors too. Sometimes the tooth may just not want to heal properly on its own. You may need an alternative procedure.
At all times during any tooth surgery, an anesthetic will be given to prevent an excessive amount of pain.
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