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If a tooth’s pulp becomes infected or damaged, root canal treatment may be necessary.
Root canal therapy is the removal of diseased or non-viable nerve and blood supply tissue from inside the tooth and its roots.
An opening is made from the top of the tooth into the pulp chamber. The canal openings are identified, and the canals are shaped with progressively thicker files (which are smaller than a typical needle) to remove the diseased tissue. X-rays are taken to be sure the end of the canal (bottom of the root) has been reached with the files. The canals are then shaped and sealed with gutta-percha (a thermoplastic material) and a cement. The tooth is built up for a crown or the opening is temporarily sealed. A crown will be needed as soon as possibly after healing; this important step helps prevent fracture and loss of the tooth.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, it may be an indication that you need endodontic treatment.
Spontaneous or throbbing pain during or after chewing.
Sensitivity to hot and cold foods or liquids.
Severe decay or an injury (which can lead to an abscess or infection).
Keep in mind that there are other causes for pain, as well. Dental pain may be due to pressure or irritation of the bone and ligament outside the end of the root of the tooth (deep within the jaw) rather than the nerve itself. This type of pain can even happen during or after root canal therapy! Sometimes, the tooth is actually fractured and needs to be repaired or removed.
Initial root canal therapy may fail (sometimes within several weeks, sometimes after many years) necessitating secondary procedures (which could also fail). Though the procedure is very predictable and the success rate is very high, you should be aware that failures do happen for any number of reasons. Everyone’s responses to both treatment and healing procedures are different.
Occasionally, a tooth will feel sensitive or sore for an extended period of time after treatment. Sometimes this can be treated, and sometimes the tooth will gradually heal on its own. In other cases, this pain could be a sign of an undetectable fracture within the tooth, and the tooth may have to be removed.
Most importantly, a tooth will become more brittle after root canal therapy and must be crowned as soon as possible after healing. You should avoid chewing on that tooth until the crown is placed, if possible.
We are conveniently located in downtown Naperville, IL and offer the perfect combination of experience and innovation in dentistry.
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