Ricks Flournoy 
Dental restorations are excellent methods of preserving your damaged or decayed tooth structure. They can help regain your original oral form, function, and aesthetics. Root canal therapy is an advanced variation of successfully restoring a tooth with pulpal involvement that is often accompanied by painful symptoms.
South Reno dentist office strives to restore damaged teeth through root canal therapy with minimal patient discomfort and long-lasting results.
What is meant by root canal therapy?
Root canal therapy (RCT) is a common endodontic procedure performed to eliminate inflamed or infected pulp tissues and restore them with a biocompatible material and a permanent restoration such as a crown or bridge. The pulp is the innermost mass of connective tissue comprising the blood vessels and nerves that actively nourish the tooth.
Signs you need a root canal therapy include:
- Excruciating pain in the tooth that does not subside easily, even through medications
- Increased sensitivity to heat and cold temperatures
- Visibly swollen gums
- Presence of an abscess (pus-filled pocket) around the affected tooth
- Swollen jaw causing facial asymmetry
- Tooth discoloration
- Pain while biting or chewing
- A chipped or cracked tooth
- Loose tooth
Root canal therapy is considered an excellent alternative to extractions, thereby preserving the natural tooth structure.
How is root canal therapy performed?
Root canal therapy is a simple outpatient procedure performed in one or two sessions. It involves the following:
- Inspecting the tooth
- Your dentist will check the affected tooth for pain, sensitivity, and gum changes.
- A dental X-ray will be taken to assess the extent of pulpal involvement and study the root morphology.
- Cleaning the root canal
- Your dentist will administer local anesthesia to numb the tooth.
- A rubber dam will be used to isolate the tooth, preventing excess moisture.
- Using ultrasonic instruments, the decayed tissues will be excavated, and an access opening will be made to expose the roots.
- The entire pulp will be removed along the length of the root canals.
- Filling the root canal
- Your dentist will clean, shape, and decontaminate the canals using tiny files and irrigating solutions.
- The tooth will be filled with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha, and an adhesive cement is used to seal everything together.
- The RC-treated tooth will be sealed with dental cement and permanently restored with a crown or bridge.
Takeaway
Dental infection involving the pulp can be debilitating. It can impair your routine activities due to severe pain, discomfort, and sensitivity. Root canal therapy is an effective treatment that can successfully eliminate infection and restore your natural tooth using a permanent prosthesis. This can significantly regain your natural tooth to its original form, function, and aesthetics.
