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Root Canal TreatmentDefinitionThis procedure removes dental pulp when it has become dead or infected. Dental pulp is the soft core of the tooth. It contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. The pulp extends from the top of the tooth, called the crown, all the way down to the roots, in branches called canals. Tooth  © 2009 Nucleus Medical Media, Inc. Reasons for ProcedureDental pulp may become infected because of:
When dental pulp becomes infected or dies, a painful abscess within the jawbone will occur. Removing dead or diseased dental pulp will prevent infection from spreading to other areas of the mouth and destroying bone around the tooth. If a root canal is not done, the tooth will need to be removed. Common signs of pulp problems include:
Possible ComplicationsComplications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have a root canal, your dentist will review a list of possible complications, which may include:
Factors that may increase the risk of complications include:
Be sure to discuss these risks with your dentist before the procedure. What to ExpectPrior to the ProcedureYour dentist will:
AnesthesiaLocal anesthesia (eg, lidocaine) will be used. The dentist will numb the area in your mouth. The anesthesia will be given as an injection. Description of the ProcedureA small hole will be made through the top of the tooth and into the pulp. Next, steel files will be inserted to extract the pulp tissue. All teeth have 1-4 individual canals. Pulp will need to be extracted from all canals in the affected tooth. Once all pulp has been removed, the walls of the root canal will be reshaped and enlarged. Medicine will be inserted to kill bacteria. At this point, the dentist may insert a temporary filling. This filling will protect the tooth. The procedure may be done within one visit or at multiple appointments. This depends on the condition of the tooth. Lastly, the canal will be dried, sterilized, and filled with a rubbery material. This material will prevent recontamination. Immediately After ProcedureThe dentist will:
How Long Will It Take?A root canal may take 1-3 appointments. Each appointment may last 1-2 hours. How Much Will It Hurt?You will have discomfort for a few days. Your doctor may give you pain medicine. Post-procedure CareWhen you return home, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:
Call Your DoctorAfter arriving home, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:
RESOURCES: American Dental Association National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research CANADIAN RESOURCES: Canadian Dental Association Canadian Dental Hygienists Association References: Root canal (endodontic) treatment. American Dental Association website. Available at: http://www.ada.org/public/topics/root_canal.asp. Accessed September 16, 2009. What is a root canal? Academy of General Dentistry website. Available at: http://www.knowyourteeth.com/. Updated February 2007. Accessed September 16, 2009. Last reviewed November 2009 by Laura Morris-Olson, DMD Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2009 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.
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