Root Canals
What is a root canal:
Root canals are a type of endodontic treatment (within the tooth). Root canals are essentially used when a tooth is badly decayed or chipped and there is inflamed or infected pulp. The pulp is the soft tissue layer found within the tooth. It is what contains the blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue. During tooth development, the pulp creates the surrounding hard tissues of the tooth during development. Yet when the tooth is fully developed, it can survive without the pulp because the tooth can be nourished now by the tissue surrounding it. In the root canal procedure, the pulp is removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and disinfected.
Procedure:
First the endodontist makes an opening at the crown of the tooth. Very small instruments are used to clean the pulp chamber and to shape the space for filling. Once the pulp chamber is cleaned and shaped, the endodontist will fill the root with a biocompatible material which is usually rubber-like. To ensure complete sealing of the root canals, the biocompatible material is placed with an adhesive cement. Then a temporary filling will be placed to close the opening. Finally, you will have a crown or other restorations placed to protect and restore the tooth.
