Your teeth consist of various parts that help keep them healthy. One of them is the roots, which are about two-thirds of a tooth’s size and extend to the jawbone. They’re responsible for holding the tooth in place, especially when eating or chewing. But like any other parts, they can also get infected because of plaque and other bacteria. For this reason, some patients require a root canal treatment. Read on to learn more about this procedure.
What Is a Root Canal Treatment?
A root canal treatment, also known as endodontic treatment, is done to remove the infection in the root canal. It is a crucial operation because the root canal is the part of your tooth that houses the pulp, nerve tissues, and other blood vessels. These parts are in charge of allowing blood and other nutrients to pass through your tooth.
This procedure is also essential in restoring your tooth’s health and alleviating pain or discomfort. When the nerves get infected by deep decay, swelling and irritation happen. This treatment will help prevent the formation of an abscess and avoid further damage to your overall oral health. A root canal operation is done in three stages, and listed below is more information about each step.
Extirpation
The extirpation stage will happen on your first dental appointment when the infected pulp from your tooth will be removed. The dentist will use your dental X-ray to find where the root canals are located. After initially cleaning your teeth, they will drill a small hole in your tooth to access both the canals and pulp chamber. With a piece of equipment called a broach, the infected pulp tissue is taken out. Then, an anti-bacterial medication is applied to it before temporarily sealing the hole.
Instrumentation
On your next appointment, instrumentation takes place when the canals are cleaned thoroughly. This is important in ensuring no remnants of decay or bacteria are left even at the end of your root canal. In this stage, your endodontist will also measure the canals’ length to determine how much synthetic filling is needed to replace the infected pulp that has been pulled out.
Obturation
Finally, on your last appointment, obturation is performed. In this stage, your endodontist will fill your root canal with a permanent airtight synthetic material called gutta-percha that is necessary to promote healing. After that, the hole is sealed completely using adhesive cement.
Ask Your Dentist
A root canal treatment is a suitable choice if you’re looking for other options, aside from tooth extraction, to save your damaged teeth. If you need to ask a specialist about it, reach out to Aegis Dental Group or Angola Dental Center. We offer dental services in Warsaw, Goshen, and Angola. Call us today to book an appointment!