Root Canal Therapy Deets

Root canal therapy is a fairly common endodontic procedure performed by Dr. Naik at Cosmetic and Family Dentistry of Las Colinas in Irving, Texas. An interesting fact about endodontic treatment is that the term is Greek, end means inside and odont means tooth. The root canal therapy involves fixing any form of tooth, jaw, or neck pain, prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold, tenderness to touch or chewing, discoloration of the tooth, swelling, drainage and tenderness in the lymph nodes, or any nearby bone and gum tissues. At times your orthodontist may diagnose you without these symptoms being present, requiring you to undergo root canal therapy.

Root canal therapy is performed by your endodontist, who will remove the inflamed or infected pulp portion of the tooth while carefully cleaning and shaping the inside of the root canal. The root canal therapy is completed when the tooth is filled and sealed in the space that had been cleaned. Once the therapy is completed, it is important that your endodontist properly protects the filling. To do so, a crown or other form of restoration will be placed on your tooth. When these procedures are completed, the tooth is considered completely protected and restored to full function.

The goal of the root canal therapy is primarily to return the tooth to function like the rest of your teeth. It is important to understand the basic idea of how and what happens, as we have discussed above, now we can discuss in detail what will happen in your dental visits. There are two kinds of situations that can lead to a root canal. The first is the discovery by your dentist when you have your biannual dental cleaning, which can allow them to find the tooth that needs a root canal. The second situation is when you come in to the clinic with any of the discussed symptoms requiring further investigation by your dentist.

In either of the two situations, the steps to the root canal therapy, generally, are as follows:

1. Dr. Naik will examine and x-ray the tooth, and then will administer local anesthetic.
2. When the tooth is numb, he will place a small protective sheet over the area to isolate the tooth and keep it clean and free of saliva throughout the procedure.
3. He will then make an opening in the crown of the tooth.
4. A very small instrument is used to clean the pulp and the root canal filling.
5. The root canal is covered with a biocompatible material and an adhesive cement to ensure complete sealing of the root canals.
6. To complete the therapy, you must return to your dentist, Dr. Naik, to have a crown or other restoration placed on the tooth.

Remember, you should not chew or bite on the treated tooth until you have had it restored because an unrestored tooth is vulnerable to fracture. Do not forget to practice good oral hygiene by brushing, flossing, and continue with regular checkups and cleanings. For your dental needs in the Irving, Texas area, contact us today to discuss your dental health and we will make it our priority to offer you and your loved ones the perfect dental plan.