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Root Canal Therapy
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 Today the goal of your dentist is to preserve your natural teeth as long as possible, rather than remove them when decayed or diseased as in years past. When a tooth has decay deep inside, often it can be saved with a procedure called root canal therapy.
A root canal involves removing the pulp of the tooth. This is the area that contains soft tissue, some blood vessels and even some nerves. When the pulp becomes damaged, it can cause the tooth to become filled with bacteria and die. If this is not taken care of right away, it will eventually cause an abscess, which could become very painful and require the tooth to be removed.
How Is A Root Canal Done?
The procedure is done in your dental office and requires local anesthetic. Once the area is numbed and freed from saliva, the pulp is removed through a hole created in the crown (chewing surface) of the tooth. Once the pulp is out, the root of the tooth is cleaned and fixed. If there is a risk of bacterial infection, antibiotic treatment might be applied directly to the root. Once the root is cleaned, a filling is placed in the tooth.
The follow up visit after a root canal generally involves the placement of a crown over the tooth, to strengthen the structure of the tooth. Once you have a root canal performed, it is very important to take good care of the tooth to ensure a long, healthy life for it.
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Pahls Family Dentistry
346 N. Central St.
Coquille, OR. 97423 (541) 396-2242 |
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