By Abiel Maxi
Tooth infection can be painful and distressing if not detected early and taken care of. The spread of the infection into the deeper layers of the tooth can lead to a compromise in the structure and function. In such cases, dentists often recommend extensive dental procedures like root canal therapy.
Root canal treatment is offered by our skilled dentist in Pekin, IL, and their team helps you get rid of painful symptoms that negatively impact your quality of life. It seals the tooth to prevent any further damage.
Understanding root canal therapy
Root canal treatment (RCT) is a common endodontic procedure performed by dental specialists (endodontists) to restore a severely damaged tooth. The purpose of this procedure is to eliminate the infection that has spread to the deeper layers of the tooth and to replace the removed pulp tissue with a biocompatible material like gutta-percha.
The pulp is the innermost layer of the tooth, which comprises blood vessels and nerve endings. It is an important part of the tooth that provides nourishment. When regular dental fillings fail to restore your tooth, root canal therapy is often the most preferred choice of treatment.
The aim of root canal therapy
The main purpose of RCT is to eliminate the infection involving your pulp and restore the original tooth form and function.
Your dentist may recommend root canal therapy if you experience the following symptoms:
- Severe tooth pain that does not go away even after medications
- Extreme sensitivity to heat and cold
- Swollen and inflamed gums (gum abscess)
- Visibly swollen jaw
- Tooth discoloration
- Pain when pressure is applied
- A chipped or cracked tooth
- Loose tooth
Root canal therapy procedure
Root canal therapy involves the following process:
- Tooth evaluation
- Your dentist will examine your oral cavity and check for any clinical warning signs.
- Oral radiographs will be taken to determine the extent of pulpal involvement and to assess the root morphology for further course of action.
- Biomechanical preparation of the tooth
- Using ultrasonic instruments, the decayed tissues will be excavated, and an access opening will be done to expose the pulp chamber and root canals.
- The entire pulp tissue will be removed using sharp endodontic files.
- The root canals will be filed and prepared using RC files.
- The canals will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected and finally sealed with gutta percha.
- Final tooth restoration
- Once the tooth is treated, your dentist will restore your tooth with a suitable crown.
Final note
Experiencing tooth pain due to pulp infection can be daunting. Thankfully, with procedures like RCT, dentists can successfully restore your oral cavity to its original form, function, and aesthetics.
