Many people are panic-stricken when the dentist talks about Root Canals in Del City OK. But the times when people writhe in pain while in the chair are finally a thing of the past! This brief article talks a little about root canals, what they are for, how they work, why people should no longer be afraid of them, etc.
The procedure
The root is the area of the tooth that firmly anchors it in the upper or lower jaw. Inside the root is the so-called “root canal.” This channel contains blood vessels and nerves, which supply the tooth with nutrients. It is also responsible for the pain sensitivity threshold of the tooth.
Decay is a tooth’s worst enemy
Decay is also the most common cause of root inflammation. The bacteria that cause decay attack the teeth and cause them great damage. In a case of inappropriate treatment, these bacteria penetrate into the soft interior of the tooth, called the “pulp,” and attack the nerves.
The patient then feels pulsating pain. The bacteria spread and attack the tooth root and, if the patient does not schedule a dentist appointment as soon as possible, then the inflammation becomes chronic and can extend to the jawbone. But sometimes a tooth can be saved with a root canal.
Whether the procedure was successful depends on how resilient the roots are and how badly the tooth was damaged. A professional cleaning of the root canals is also of fundamental importance.
How does a root canal work?
First, the dentist must numb the affected tooth. Thereafter, the tooth is drilled and cleaned out. This requires a thorough approach because, if it is not done correctly, bacteria can enter the root canal and cause further damage.
An X-ray shows the dentist exactly how well the roots of the tooth are. Not infrequently, the treatment is hampered by root canal problems. The inside of the root is now taken out and the root canal is cleaned completely. If the root canal is properly cleared, the dentist will rinse the resulting cavities with a disinfecting liquid.
The channel should be completely free of germs so that no bacteria can penetrate into the jawbone. The resulting cavities are filled with a thickened milky sap of tropical trees called “gutta-percha” and a sealing cement. Contact Sunnylane Family Dentistry for further information. You can also visit them on Facebook.
