|
Root Canal A root canal enables Dr. Frantz to
save a tooth instead of having to remove it. Years ago, teeth with diseased or injured pulps were removed. (The pulp is the soft tissue that contains nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue.)
Left untreated, tooth decay can cause an infected or abscessed tooth. When the pulp is diseased or injured and can't repair itself, your living tooth dies. Pulp death is usually caused by a cracked tooth or a deep
cavity. Both of these problems can allow germs (bacteria) to get inside the tooth causing an internal infection. Left untreated, pus builds up at the root tip, inside the jawbone, forming a
"pus-pocket" called an abscess. If infected pulp is not removed, pain and swelling can result. Certain byproducts of the infection can injure your jaw bones. Without treatment, your tooth
may have to be removed. Treatment
Treatment often involves from one to three visits. During treatment, Dr. Frantz removes the diseased pulp. The
pulp chamber and root canal(s) of the tooth are then cleaned and sealed. This involves making an opening through the crown of the tooth into the pulp chamber, the pulp is removed, and the root canals are cleaned,
enlarged and shaped. Medications may be put in the pulp chamber and root canal(s) to help get rid of germs and prevent infection. A temporary filling will be placed in the crown opening to protect the tooth
between dental visits. Sometimes the tooth may be left open for a few days to drain. You might also be given medicine to help control infection that may have spread beyond the tooth. The pulp chamber and root canals are
filled and sealed. Later, the temporary filling is removed and the pulp chamber and root canal(s) are cleaned and filled. In the final step, a gold or porcelain crown is usually placed over the tooth. The crown of the
tooth is then restored. Your restored tooth could last a lifetime, if you continue to care for your teeth and gums. However, regular checkups are necessary. As long as the root(s) of a treated tooth are
nourished by the tissues around it, your tooth will remain healthy. |
