Keeping teeth clean is an important component to keeping them. Humans get two sets of teeth for their entire lives, and the first set is lost between age five and age 12. The second set, which finishes erupting around age 17 (for those who keep their wisdom teeth) must then last for the rest of the lifespan.
Careful brushing and flossing prevent buildup of tartar and plaque. These deposits are not food, but the acidic byproducts of bacteria that feed on food particles trapped on teeth. The acid breaks down the enamel of teeth, creating pits which in turn harbor more bacteria. If not treated, eventually the entire tooth can rot.
If decay is caught early enough, the problem can be remedied by drilling out the unsound portion of the tooth and filling with metal such as gold or silver or some ceramic. If decay is allowed to reach the root, the result is usually intense pain, and will require a more in-depth medical procedure. A root canal, or more technically, endodontic therapy, is usually the appropriate course of action.
A need for a root canal is often indicated by the aforementioned intense pain, as inflammation causes an increase in pressure in, under and around the tooth. Sometimes the inflammation will be completely within the canal, but often it will also spread to the gums. If this happens, the gum may become swollen, especially with localized swelling that is limited to only one tooth.
While getting a root canal is often something that is highly dreaded, the actual procedure is relatively straightforward. The dentist will either drill an access hole, or completely remove the top of the tooth or "crown", which is the part that contacts the food and is visible above the gums. Next using a fine drill, the soft part of the root is hollowed out. The remaining space is disinfected with sodium hypochlorite (the active ingredient in household bleach) and then filled with gutta percha.
Gutta percha is derived from natural latex, and is radiopaque, meaning that when the tooth is x-rayed, the filling will show up as a black blot against the white of the surrounding enamel. This is important because gutta percha can sometimes shrink as it cures, and an x-ray is crucial for determining whether the filling has pulled away from the tooth. After being filled, the dentist will fill the access hole at the top of the tooth, or replace the crown, whichever is necessary.
People often assume that a root canal is a painful procedure. However, the actual process is performed under local anesthesia and is fairly painless. The pain usually associated is caused the by the infection that necessitated the root canal in the first place.
Careful brushing and flossing prevent buildup of tartar and plaque. These deposits are not food, but the acidic byproducts of bacteria that feed on food particles trapped on teeth. The acid breaks down the enamel of teeth, creating pits which in turn harbor more bacteria. If not treated, eventually the entire tooth can rot.
If decay is caught early enough, the problem can be remedied by drilling out the unsound portion of the tooth and filling with metal such as gold or silver or some ceramic. If decay is allowed to reach the root, the result is usually intense pain, and will require a more in-depth medical procedure. A root canal, or more technically, endodontic therapy, is usually the appropriate course of action.
A need for a root canal is often indicated by the aforementioned intense pain, as inflammation causes an increase in pressure in, under and around the tooth. Sometimes the inflammation will be completely within the canal, but often it will also spread to the gums. If this happens, the gum may become swollen, especially with localized swelling that is limited to only one tooth.
While getting a root canal is often something that is highly dreaded, the actual procedure is relatively straightforward. The dentist will either drill an access hole, or completely remove the top of the tooth or "crown", which is the part that contacts the food and is visible above the gums. Next using a fine drill, the soft part of the root is hollowed out. The remaining space is disinfected with sodium hypochlorite (the active ingredient in household bleach) and then filled with gutta percha.
Gutta percha is derived from natural latex, and is radiopaque, meaning that when the tooth is x-rayed, the filling will show up as a black blot against the white of the surrounding enamel. This is important because gutta percha can sometimes shrink as it cures, and an x-ray is crucial for determining whether the filling has pulled away from the tooth. After being filled, the dentist will fill the access hole at the top of the tooth, or replace the crown, whichever is necessary.
People often assume that a root canal is a painful procedure. However, the actual process is performed under local anesthesia and is fairly painless. The pain usually associated is caused the by the infection that necessitated the root canal in the first place.
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