Root Canals: What Are They?

A root canal is not the seriously “painful” procedure it once was.  Millions of teeth are treated and saved each year with root canals, or endodontic treatment. Roots canals today are known for relieving more pain rather than causing it.

Root canals are needed when the inside of the tooth, under the white enamel and a hard layer called the dentin, the soft tissue called “pulp” comes infected. The pulp includes blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissues so infections to this tissue can be very painful if left untreated. In a fully developed tooth, the tooth will survive without the pulp of the tooth if it were to become infected. The tooth will just be nourished by the tissue surrounding it.

Modern endodontic treatment is similar to having any other filling done to the teeth.  It is usually completed in one appointment, sometimes it may take a second depending on the condition of the tooth and the personal circumstances surrounding it (i.e. timetables, pain tolerance, personal preferences, etc.). You can expect to be comfortable during your procedure.

Saving the natural tooth through a root canal has many advantages to the customer including the ability to chew more efficiently and naturally, the ability to have a normal biting force and sensation, natural appearances of the smile, and protection from excessive wear/stains.

To do a root canal the inside pulp of the tooth that is inflamed or infected becomes that way because of any of a number of reasons including deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth, faulty crowns, or cracks/chips in the tooth. The root canal drills out the infected pulp, and replaces the soft tissue with a material called “gutta-percha”. Afterwards, the tooth is restored and capped with a crown to keep the filling from being exposed again.

Endodontic treatment helps maintain one’s natural smile. It allows the individual to continue to eat the foods they love, and limits the need to go in multiple times for ongoing dental work. With proper care, most teeth that have root canals performed on them can last the rest of the person’s lifetime.

If you have any questions regarding this article contact us or call 909-465-1016.

The Ramona Dentistry Team

“Where Family Comes First”