Well prepared for a root canal treatment
When you think of the dentist, you logically think of a treatment of your teeth. But what is underneath those visible teeth is also important: the root. If something is wrong with it, you can lose the tooth or molar above it. To prevent that, there is root canal treatment.
When do you need a root canal treatment?
The root of a tooth or molar is anchored in the jaw bone. The center of that root is the root canal, which contains connective tissue, nerve fibers, and small blood vessels. That living tissue is collectively called the pulp. If you are experiencing root discomfort, it is where the root canal treatment takes place.
Root canal treatment prevents tooth extraction
You may experience problems with a root canal if the tooth or molar above it is affected by cavities or, for example, by a fall. Bacteria can encoach into the space reaching the root canal. As a result, the nerve becomes inflamed and can eventually die. Often, there is also an inflammation in the jawbone around the root. If you are in time and undergo a root canal treatment, you can prevent the tooth or molar from having to be removed.
This is how a root canal treatment works
During root canal treatment, the dentist completely cleans and fills the root canal system. This is done in seven steps.
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Taking X-rays
For root canal treatment, one or more x-rays are taken of the tooth or molar. These show how many roots and root canals there are and what they look like. During treatment, the dentist will take x-rays again to check the progress of the treatment.
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To anesthetize
Your mouth will be locally anesthetized for the treatment. However, if the nerve is completely dead, anesthesia is not always necessary.
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Applying a rubber dam
A rubber dam or cofferdam is a piece of latex or similar material. The dentist uses it to separate the tooth or molar from the rest of your mouth. This prevents bacteria in the saliva from reaching the tooth or molar. The rubber dam also protects the oral cavity from rinses and small instruments that the dentist uses during treatment.
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Opening a tooth or molar
In order to get to the root canal properly, the dentist makes a small opening in the tooth or molar. Inflamed tissue is then immediately removed.
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Cleaning root canals
A tooth usually has one root canal. A molar has several. The x-rays from step 1 tell the dentist exactly how many there are and where they are. And the dentist can make them a little bigger, so that the rinse can do its job properly. The canals are cleaned thoroughly with the rinsing fluid.
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Filling root canals
When the canals are clean, the dentist dries them. Then they are filled, including the part of the tooth that is visible. Sometimes filling material is not suitable for the visible part, then the dentist uses a crown, specially made to measure by the dental technician. We do this to prevent the canals from becoming inflamed again.
After root canal treatment
In general, people have almost no pain after the treatment and you only need to come back for a check-up after a year. Sometimes a second appointment is necessary to neatly finish the tooth or molar. During a check-up, the dentist takes an x-ray to see if the inflammation in the jawbone has healed properly.
