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Endodontic (or root
canal) therapy can help prevent the loss of a tooth that results from
injury to the dental pulp. |
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The pulp of a tooth is a soft tissue
that contains mostly nerves and a blood supply. When the pulp is
diseased
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or injured and unable to repair
itself, it dies.
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The most common
causes of pulp injury are fracture, a deep cavity, or trauma.
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Pain and swelling can accompany pulp
disease, or the tooth may be completely free of symptoms. Once the
pulp
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is determined to be diseased, it is necessary to remove the damaged
tissue to avoid injury to the bone that |
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anchors the tooth to the jaw. |
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What does root canal
treatment involve?
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1. An anaesthetic is normally used so
that you will be comfortable during treatment. An opening is made
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through the
crown of the tooth into the pulp chamber.
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2. The pulp is carefully removed. The
root canals will be cleaned and enlarged and shaped to a form that |
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can be easily
filled. |
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3. A temporary filling will be placed
in the opening in the crown to protect the pulp chamber between |
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appointments. Bits of this filling may come out between appointments.
As long as the bulk of the |
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material is
present, the tooth is protected. |
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4. The root canal is
filled and sealed with a material, which prevents bacteria from
re-entering the canal. |
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Treatment usually requires one to three
appointments, however each tooth presents individual problems |
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and must be treated accordingly.
After the root canal therapy is completed, two more steps are normally |
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necessary to save the tooth. The
first is a build-up of a filling material, which strengthens the tooth
and |
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restores it to its original form.
The second is a crown, which minimizes the risk of fracture. |
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Recent research has shown that use of
anti-inflammatory drugs minimizes the occurrence of pain and |
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swelling during and after
treatment. |
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We advise that you
take the anti-inflammatory and the antibiotic medication as directed. |
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ADHERING STRICTLY TO THE MEDICATION INSTRUCTIONS WILL INCREASE THE |
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LIKELIHOOD OF A GOOD RESULT WITH MINIMUM SYMPTOMS. |
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PROGNOSIS OF ROOT
CANAL THERAPY |
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While there is no
certainty concerning healing, we expect about 95% success rate. On rare
occasions, |
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the chances of success
may fall below this expectation due to unusual root formation or
blocked canals, |
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or a tooth may not be
amenable to endodontic treatment at all. If your tooth falls within
one of these |
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categories, you will be
informed of this. |
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Teeth treated with root canal
therapy can last as long as other teeth as long as you are in good
health
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and your body has the
ability to repair the damaged bone.
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In short, root canal therapy is
basically a painless, anxiety free experience. Your comfort throughout |
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all phases of treatment
is a major concern of our office. A mild reaction may occur after
treatment, |
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such as tenderness of the
tooth or slight swelling of the gum. This generally subsides of its
own accord |
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in 3 or 4 days. If these
symptoms are very severe or last for more than 3 or 4 days, this
office should be notified. |
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