This procedure removes dental pulp when it has become dead or infected. Dental pulp is the soft core of the tooth. It contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. The pulp extends from the top of the tooth, called the crown, all the way down to the roots, in branches called canals.
Dental pulp may become infected because of:
An untreated
cavityTrauma to the toothGum diseaseWhen dental pulp becomes infected or dies, a painful abscess within the jawbone will occur. Removing dead or diseased dental pulp will prevent infection from spreading to other areas of the mouth and destroying bone around the tooth. If a root canal is not done, the tooth will need to be removed.
Common signs of pulp problems include:
Pain when biting down on a toothPain when the tooth is not being usedSensitivity to hot or cold food or beveragesTooth discolorationSwollen gums around the infected toothA draining boil-like structure (called a fistula) on the gum adjacent to the toothComplications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have a root canal, your dentist will review a list of possible complications, which may include:
Pain and swellingSurgical-wound infectionPersistent abscessInability to save the toothFactors that may increase the risk of complications include:
SmokingImmune system disordersBleeding disorders
Circulatory problems that can cause healing problems (eg,
diabetes
)
Be sure to discuss these risks with your dentist before the procedure.
Your dentist will:
Do a thorough dental examX-ray
your mouth—a test that uses radiation to take a picture of structures inside the body, especially bones
Local anesthesia (eg,
lidocaine
) will be used. The dentist will numb the area in your mouth. The anesthesia will be given as an injection.
A small hole will be made through the top of the tooth and into the pulp. Next, steel files will be inserted to extract the pulp tissue. All teeth have 1-4 individual canals. Pulp will need to be extracted from all canals in the affected tooth. Once all pulp has been removed, the walls of the root canal will be reshaped and enlarged. Medicine will be inserted to kill bacteria.
At this point, the dentist may insert a temporary filling. This filling will protect the tooth. The procedure may be done within one visit or at multiple appointments. This depends on the condition of the tooth. Lastly, the canal will be dried, sterilized, and filled with a rubbery material. This material will prevent recontamination.
The dentist will:
Permanently seal the areaPlace a gold or porcelain crown over the tooth to strengthen its structureA root canal may take 1-3 appointments. Each appointment may last 1-2 hours.
You will have discomfort for a few days. Your doctor may give you pain medicine.
When you return home, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:
Be sure to follow your dentist's
instructions
.
Use warm, salt-water rinses to soothe your mouth.For a few days, avoid heavy biting and chewing on the side of the mouth that has the root canal.See your dentist for a follow-up x-ray as scheduled.After arriving home, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:
Signs of infection, including fever and chillsRedness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or any discharge from the area around the toothTooth loosens after root canal treatmentHeadache, muscle aches, dizziness, or general malaisePain that you cannot control with the medicines you have been givenIn case of an emergency, call for medical help right away..
Last reviewed March 2013 by Marcin Chwistek, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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