Root Canal treatment – Why it is performed on an infected tooth?
A dentist or an endodontist may prescribe root canal procedure to repair and preserve the tooth with existing or emerging infection. The infection may first start as a cavity and then develop and reach to the pulp where the nerve is located. Unfortunately at this stage, filling or taking antibiotics will not permanently resolve the issue. Antibiotics can help keep the infection from spreading, but to remove the infection completely root canal treatment would be better because it cleans out all the infected pulp from inside the pulp chamber and root canals. Tooth extraction is another option but it is not viable unless the tooth is severely damaged and not possible to recover. If the condition is neglected or delayed the infection may spread to the jaw bone and then to surrounding tissue. The problem may become intense leading to other complications such as swelling of mouth and face along with severe pain in the infected area.
How is a root canal treatment done?
The root canal is an endodontic procedure which retains the structure of the tooth. It also prevents loss of jaw bone due to infection. The procedure involves removing the infection from the canals by making a small incision from the surface of the tooth to the pulp chamber. The canal is widened and cleaned thoroughly from inside the tooth using small files. With the help of X-ray which is taken prior to the surgical treatment, the dentist will estimate the length how far the incision can be made inside the pulp chamber. It will also help dentist estimate the minute root canals during the procedure. Once the decayed portion of the tooth has been completely removed, washed with water and dried, a rubber-like an amalgam filling called gutta percha is used to seal the canal. After the procedure is successfully done, a new crown or cap made of metal, resin or ceramic is placed over the tooth as a protection.
When is a root canal procedure recommended?
To determine whether the procedure is required or not, the dentist will first examine if it is an abscess or a dead tooth or if the pulp can be recovered. The symptoms of pain and swelling will not reveal anything because they are not obvious in every case. To determine whether a root canal is an appropriate solution, the dentist will perform some clinical tests, take x-rays and evaluate the tooth condition. If the pulp inside the tooth has mild irritation which is not spread to inside blood vessels and nerves, the root canal procedure is suggested to the patient. If it is a dead tooth with severe damage or crack that is not repairable then the dentist may recommend extraction. Because if the tooth is several damaged with cracks or barely attached to the jaw bone there is no point in doing the procedure for restoring it. The final decision about a tooth’s need for the root canal is made by the dentist based on the diagnosis and evaluation.