What Is A Root Canal?
A root canal is simply a procedure that cleans out the inside of a tooth to remove inflamed or infected tissue that is causing pain and/or infection in the jaw.
The composition of a tooth is consistent from person to person. Though the shapes may vary, the composition is the same. There is the enamel, which is the hard white outer shell you see in the mirror. Beneath the enamel is a porous “coral-like” substance called dentin.
Lastly, you come to the dental pulp, which is simply the nerves and blood vessels in the middle of your tooth. Diseases of the pulp is what necessitates the need for a root canal.
People have four basic types of teeth:
Incisors (Front Teeth), Cuspids (Canine Teeth), Bicuspids (Premolars), and Molars (Back Teeth).
The number of roots and the number of canals varies across the different types of teeth. A general rule is the further back in your mouth the tooth is, the more roots & canals there will be. That number typically is between
1-to-4.
How the Procedure Works
1. Preparation
An X-ray will be taken of the tooth for reference during the procedure. After the image has been taken, the area will be anesthetized so you are comfortable during the prodedure. Lastly, a dental dam will be placed around your tooth to keep the area clean and dry as well as preventing debris and solutions from going down your throat.
2. Clean-out
Now that you are numb, the pulp chamber will be accessed by drilling a small hole in the top of the tooth. With access to the pulp chamber, the diseased tissue can be removed and root canals are debrided and disinfected using a series of solutions and micro files.
3. Seal it up
Once the tooth is clean and dry the roots are then filled with a rubber like filling called Gutta Percha (Shown in Green). From here it is easy sailing. A temporary filling is placed. (Shown in Blue). At a later date you will follow up with your regular dentist to permanently restore the tooth.
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If you have more questions you can always email us here at the office.