-WHAT IS A ROOT CANAL?
Root canal treatment is necessary when the nerve, also known as pulp, of a tooth becames inflamed or infected. The dental term for this procedure is endodontic treatment. To fully understand this procedure, one needs to know all the components that help form a tooth first. We will use the illustration on the right as a guide. The first and outermost layer of a tooth is called enamel. The second layer is called dentin. If anything penetrates these two layers, it will immediately come into contact with the nerve or pulp of the tooth leading to nerve inflammation and infection. If left untreated, it can cause great pain and ultimately lead to an abscess. The nerve or pulp of a tooth is composed of a connective soft tissue that contains cells, blood vessels and nerves. It is found in the pulp chamber and root canal of any tooth, thus leading to the common name this dental procedure is known by: "root canal."
-WHAT ARE THE GENERAL SYMPTOMS OF A TOOTH THAT NEEDS A ROOT CANAL?
Symptoms to look for if you suspect that you need a root canal on a tooth:
-pain or prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold elements
-tenderness towards chewing and biting
-discoloration of the tooth; this often happens when a tooth receives a strong hit
-swelling of the gums near the root of a tooth; this is a sign of an abscess of infection
-if the nerve infection is in the early stages, sometimes there are no symptoms
-CAN A ROOT CANAL BE COMPLETED IN 1 VISIT?
If the tooth does not have an abscess of infection the root canal can be completed in ONE VISIT.
If the tooth does have an abscess of infection, calcium hydroxide must be left inside the roots of the tooth for 7 - 14 days, before the root canal is completed thus the root canal would be in TWO VISITS. |
