Jarred K. Donald, DDS
16631 Coit Rd #114
Dallas, TX 75248
972-818-4300
888-49-SMILE
Patient Education - General Dentist Information in Dallas
Root Canal Therapy
Root canals are tiny passageways that branch off from beneath the top
of the tooth, coursing their way vertically downward, until they reach
the tip of the root.
All teeth have between one and four root canals.
Many tooth problems involve infections that spread to the pulp,
which is the inner chamber of the tooth containing blood vessels,
nerves and other tissues. When the infection becomes worse, it can
begin affecting the roots. A traumatic injury to a tooth can also
compromise the pulp, leading to similar problems.
A diseased inner tooth brings a host of problems; pain and
sensitivity are some of the first indications of a problem; but inside,
a spreading infection can cause small pockets of pus to develop,
leading to an abscess.
Root canal therapy is a remarkable treatment with a very high
rate of success, and involves removing the diseased tissue, halting the
spread of infection and restoring the healthy portion of the tooth. In
fact, root canal therapy is designed to save a problem tooth; before
the procedure was developed and gained acceptance, the only alternative
for treating a diseased tooth was extraction.
Procedure
Root canal therapy usually entails one to three visits. During
the first visit, a small hole is drilled through the top of the tooth
and into the inner chamber. Diseased tissue is removed, the inner
chamber cleansed and disinfected, and the tiny canals reshaped. The
cleansed chamber and canals are filled with an elastic material and
medication designed to prevent infection. If necessary, the drilled
hole is temporarily filled until a permanent seal is made with a crown.
Most patients who have root canal experience little or no
discomfort or pain, and enjoy a restored tooth that can last almost as
long as its healthy original.
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