Cosmetic and General Dentistry,  Puneet Aulakh DDS,  Dentist located in Factoria Bellevue Washington




1808 Richards Road
Suite 101
Bellevue, WA 98005

425-378-DENT (3368)


www.factoriadental.com



OFFICE HOURS:

Tue:8:00am to 5:00pm
Wed:10:00am to 7:00pm
Fri: 8:00am to 5:00pm
Sat:9:00am to 2:00pm

Root Canal Treatment:

 


Root Canal Therapy:

If a tooth’s pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels, becomes infected or damaged because of decay or injury, root canal treatment is often the only way to save your tooth and repair the damage. Endodontic treatment cleans out the infected pulp chamber and repairs the damage. Think of it as a filling for your roots.

A root canal infection can be caused by several things including decay, injury and possibly also gum disease. There are many reasons why a tooth a dies; and a dead tooth is likely to get infected. Without treatment, a dental abscess (collection of pus) can form as the bacteria multiply and are forced beyond the end of the root. As the collection of pus is trying to expand within the bone, the tooth may rise slightly out of its socket and feel tender when you bite down.  Sometimes this infection can drain into you mouth in the form of a pimple on the gum, around where the root is located.
If left untreated, the infection may spread to the nerves and surrounding tissues and cause severe pain, nausea, fever and in some extreme cases... death..

The following are examples what happens and how a proper root canal filling should look like.  Scroll down for further reading.  OR here is an ADA factsheet.

 


Decay to Nerve Example #1: A cavity that progressed to the pulp (nerve) chamber.

 

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Defective filling.


Decay removed same tooth, all the way to the pulp/nerve.

 

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Root Canal Treatments: Proper way a Root Canal should look after completion.

 


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Note the under filled non-existent root canal filling.


Proper root canal filling.


Note the under filled non-existent root canal filling.


Proper root canal filling.


Note the proper root canal filling to the full length of the root.


Proper root canal filling showing the complex root canal anatomy.


 

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Patient take home fact sheet on Root Canals from the ADA (pdf).

 

 

Indications for root canal therapy:

- Spontaneous pain or throbbing pain during or after chewing
- Sensitivity to hot and cold foods or liquids.
- Severe decay or an injury (which can lead to an abscess or infection).

Treatment usually takes from one to three appointments, depending on the tooth and circumstances. There may be some pain or discomfort after each appointment, (though minor and rare) which can usually be controlled with medication. Root canal therapy is simply the removal of diseased or non-viable nerve and blood supply tissue from inside the tooth and roots. The following are the steps for a root canal.


--1. An opening is made from the top of the tooth into the pulp chamber.


--2. The canal opening(s) is/are identified.


--3. The canal(s) is/are shaped with progressively thicker “files” to remove diseased tissue. These files come in various sizes and shapes.


--4. X-rays are taken to be sure we have reached the end of the canal (the tip of the root) with the files.


--5. The canals are then shaped to allow access for filling material to seal the end of the tooth (final shaping).


--6. The canals are sealed with Gutta Percha (a thermoplastic material) and a cement.


--7. The tooth is built up for a crown or the opening is temporarily sealed. A crown will eventually be needed.



 


teeth

How does the pulp get damaged?
There are a number of ways that a tooth's pulp can be damaged.


Decay If tooth decay is left untreated, bacteria can spread into your tooth and infect the pulp. Once this happens, your tooth will need to be treated with root canal therapy to remove the bacteria and damaged pulp.


Gum disease If you have severe gum disease then your gums tend to pull away from the teeth creating a gap called a periodontal pocket. This pocket traps bacteria, further damaging the supporting tissues of your teeth. Bacteria in deep periodontal pockets may theoretically infect the pulp.


Injury If your tooth is damaged by accident then the pulp may be affected and get infected. For more information on tooth injuries.

What are the alternatives to root canal therapy?


If your tooth is seriously damaged by decay or injury, or the support of the tooth is compromised by gum disease, then a root canal therapy may not be able to repair your tooth.  The recommend may be that you have the tooth taken out instead and replaced with an implant.