As we get older suddenly we realised many things we didn't appreciate about being young - being fit, having smooth skin and having all your own teeth. As our loose teeth (and bridges) struggle to deal with chewier food we start eating bland mush and, there is no easy way to say this, OLD PEOPLE FOOD. I'm determined not to let that happen to me and I'm doing everything I can to keep my own teeth as long as possible, and when that's not possible to get the best possible teeth replacement. If you are like me and want to keep on eating whatever you want, I think you'll like my site. It's all about dental health and teeth replacement & maintenance.
Keeping your teeth young
Root Canal Treatment: What You Need to Know
Mabel Hicks
The root canal procedure is aimed at the removal of the damaged dental pulp so as to restore function and prevent escalation of disease. The pulp is the soft tissue found within the tooth and removal is necessary when there is serious pulp infection or complete tissue death. In the past, teeth that had tissue infections were extracted but today's advances ensure that your flawed teeth can be saved
The causes for these issues include untreated deep cavities or severe mechanical damage to the tooth structure. There is typically build-up of pus in the dental roots after pulp infection or death occurs. Without proper treatment, an abscess is formed and it facilitates the degradation of the jawbone. Moreover, pain will be experienced and in some severe circumstances, the swelling will spread and be apparent on the face.
Procedure
If you are undergoing this treatment, several visits to a dentist in your area may be necessary for teeth restoration depending on the severity of the damage. The procedure is thought to be excruciating but the discomfort is comparable to what is experienced during filling placement. Moreover, local anaesthetic is administered before the procedure. Basically, an aperture is made to provide access to the pulp through the crown or the back when the infected teeth are the front ones.
The infected and dead tissue is removed and cleaning is carried out so as to get rid of harmful microorganisms. The canal is then prepared for filling through enlargement and shaping and then it is filled with a special material known as gutta-percha. The tooth structure is sealed with cement and a crown will be placed in the final step to restore the appearance. You should note that there may be variations especially if your teeth are severely infected.
Recontamination
The success of root canal therapy is very high but there are recontamination risks. Defective restoration will allow the bacterial population in the oral cavity to penetrate the vulnerable area and cause new infection. Undetected cracks on the teeth structure as well as degradation of the sealing material will also have the same consequences. If this occurs, your dentist will retreat the infection but in severe cases, you will be referred to an endodontic specialist for surgery.
After Care
Proper care is essential for steady recovery after the root canal procedure. You should maintain good oral hygiene to prevent the accelerated growth of oral bacteria. Additionally, avoid hard and sugary foods when the treatment is ongoing and before complete recovery.
Share