Root Canal Therapy
BACKGROUND: When the cavity reaches the middle of the tooth and infects the nerve of the tooth, a simple filling is no longer an option and requires the dentist to either remove the infected tooth entirely or to just remove the infected nerve and save the tooth. It is often best to try and save the tooth since a simple procedure can take away the pain while allowing you to save your tooth saving you lots of money and also your ability to eat and speak. Also, it is very important to remember that when a tooth is removed a whole set of new problems arises ranging from the loss of bone around the tooth to shifting of teeth to fill in space. An x-ray is often necessary to properly diagnose the problem and to identify the right solution.
THE PAIN: When the cavity finally reaches the nerve located in the core of the tooth, the bacteria irritate the nerve and cause the body to react through a process known as inflammation. When the body wants to fight the decay it sends lots of antibodies and protective cells to the area to battle the bacteria. The increased flow of blood to the area causes the nerve to become swollen and the pressure the nerve that causes the pain. The movement of fluids inside the tooth is what causes the actual pain and when the pressure is relieved the pain goes away as well. This pressure can be reduced by the dentist through what is called an “emergency root canal” or an “open and medicate.” These are categorized as a palliative treatment which removes the pain and allows the patient to gain comfort and function.
ROOT CANAL TREATMENT: Root canal treatment is also known as “pulpectomy” while a partial root canal treatment is known as a “pulpotomy.” Root canals have gotten a bad wrap and are misunderstood by many as a painful procedure. The reality is that root canals actually relieve pain and help save the teeth for future use. In the past and currently in very poor countries, when there is a problem with a tooth the patients just extract the teeth instead of utilizing root canals to remove pain and infection. This is very unfortunate because the teeth are perfectly usable and can serve the patient for many more years. Doctor Arash compares this type of thinking similar to getting a cut on your hand and instead of putting a bandaid on the cut you decide to cut the whole hand off.
Root canals involve removing the nerve (pulp) of the tooth and require experienced dentists to perform this procedure. If a root canal is not done correctly by a trained professional the patient can not only lose the tooth but also have serious health problems down the line. In order to read more about the dangers of root canals please read more on the section describing potentially life-threatening problems from failing root canals.