Root Canal Treatment (Endodontics)
A root canal procedure is usually performed when the nerve of a tooth becomes infected which may present with sign of mild to severe pain, tooth discolouration, swelling in the surrounding gum, as well as visible signs of infection will be present on x-ray. One chooses to do a root canal procedure in order to try and save the affected tooth and preserve the functionality of the tooth.
Located inside each tooth in a pulp chambers that funnel into root canals that house nerve fibers, blood and lymph tissue. A root canal can become affected for several reasons, including severe tooth decay, a cracked tooth or a filling with leakage underneath.
During the procedure the Doctor will gain access to the root canals by drilling a small hole on the top biting surface of your tooth, the root canals are then hollowed out using nickel titanium files, and cleaned using a special solution. Thereafter the canals are filled will a filling material called gutta percha points, this preserves the life of the canals, and the initial access hole is filled with composite filling material.
After a suitable healing period the tooth will need to be crowned as the tooth is no longer vital as the nerve has been removed, and you will no longer be able to judge pressure on that tooth, leaving it at risk of breaking if it is not crowned.
