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Root Canal Basics

A root canal procedure is a dental treatment alternative available to Albuquerque residents that will save a failing tooth from extraction. Though this is often a costly process, one should remember that every tooth plays a vital role in the maintenance of the alignment of the occlusion (the natural bite pattern) and also ensures the strength and integrity of the bite. Consequently, losing a single tooth could result in pain in the head and jaw and compromise the position of the surrounding and opposing teeth.

First, the patient will be examined during a consultation to determine the cause of the pain that encouraged them to seek treatment. A root canal will often be recommended if a patient is found to have a nerve infected by tooth decay.

Teeth are composed of three different regions, the tough outer shell known as the enamel, a softer layer called dentin and the deepest inner layer, the pulp. The pulp is the innermost layer of tooth requiring root canal treatment. The pulp is made up of blood vessels as well as nerve and lymphatic tissue, which is why root canal treatment used to be very painful. When the pulp is infected by bacteria or damaged, the tooth will begin to die, and ignite the body’s immune system to fight off the infection, causing inflammation, infection, and pain. Ignoring such pain can lead to the spread of the infection further into the surrounding teeth, jaw, head and neck areas, leading to more serious medical issues.

When a root canal is performed, the patient may have been on an antibiotic for a period of time leading up to the procedure. The dentist or endodontist (a dentist that specializes in root canal therapy) will numb the tooth and surrounding tissue then drill through the enamel and dentin into the pulp of the infected root, and all of the infected material is removed. X-rays and detailed inspection may be required to ensure that all the decayed materials are eliminated. The root is then treated with a disinfectant and a sealant before being refilled with a variety of materials which bond to the tooth and permanently fill it. A temporary filling or crown may be put in place during the healing phase until the dentist inspects the tooth for any further infection on follow-up and places the permanent filling or crown.

Most root canals are performed by general dentists who may also elect to refer difficult cases to an endodontist. The modern root canal procedure is now pain free and much shorter due to a variety of improvements in dental instruments and materials. Lasers, ultrasonic tools, improved filling materials, and advances in radiography mean that many more Albuquerque residents’ teeth are being preserved in a normally functioning state than ever before.