Some dental experts have described the inside of a tooth as a tootsie pop, a rather ironic analogy. Within every tooth resides an internal compartment that extends into each of the roots. Important in the developmental stage of a tooth, the chamber, or pulp contains formative cells, a blood supply and nerve fibers. Fortunately, once a tooth fully forms (usually within three years after its eruption), the pulpal contents are no longer necessary to a functional tooth. Otherwise, RCT would not be feasible.
The pulp chamber that extends into the root is called a canal. Anterior teeth commonly have one canal, pre-molars, one or two, and molars may have three, four, or more canals. After the administration of a local anesthetic, the dentist creates an access opening to gain entrance to the pulp chamber. Then each (root) canal is thoroughly cleansed, enlarged, and ultimately filled with an inert material to seal the canal(s). Since root canal treated teeth usually become brittle, special considerations are necessary for a complete dental restoration. Usually a tooth with RCT needs a full dental crown, possible a post, to restore its integrity. There are exceptions.
Root canal treatment does not always follow a predictable course. Even after appropriate initial therapy, a tooth may not heal in the expected manner. Antibiotics and possibly, anti-inflammatory medications, may then be necessary as an adjunct to the mechanical debridement of the pulp and its canals. Facial swelling from an infected tooth, a depressed immune system or other systemic factors can complicate root canal treatment. Suppuration (pus) around the infected root increases the acid concentration and it may create difficulties with anesthesia.
Occasionally, for less than 5% of teeth, conventional RCT may not be successful. Inaccessible canals, accessory canals, microscopic fractures and unusual dental anatomy interfere with treatment. Even then, other options to extraction are possible. This may seem like a lot of dental care for one tooth, yet saving a tooth is usually preferable to an extraction and placement of a dental bridge or dental implant. The valuable lesson is that it is better to avoid needing a root canal by visiting the dentist regularly and finding problems before they require extensive and costly treatment.
Dental infections can harm the entire body, physically and emotionally. Needed root canal procedures are therefore important to overall health and well being. Toothache pain is not always present with pulpal pathology. Regular dental visits can help detect infected teeth and serve to prevent unforeseen dental calamities.
Want a great dentist who can help you with all of your root canal needs? Call us at 1-866-970-0441 today.