Root Canal Therapy

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Root Canal Therapy

Endodontics or root canal therapy is a process where the nerve and associated blood-vessels and lymphatics are removed from the tooth and replaced with an inert rubber material called gutta percha.
The most common reasons for needing a root canal are:

extensive tooth decay

a large cavity under a filling or crown

a dental abscess

the fracture of a tooth.

When we suspect that the nerve is dead, we will take an x-ray to determine if there is an abscess. Sometimes, however, the abscess is not visible yet, and we have to use your description, or other secondary diagnostic signs, to decide if a root canal is needed.

Here is a picture of a healthy tooth.

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As you can see, the tooth consists of a crown, a root, a pulp chamber and pulp canal.

When everything is healthy, there is no abscess at the root tip and the blood flow is normal.

 

Sometimes the nerve dies and you have a toothache.

 

 

 

 

 

 

When the nerve dies, the result is an abscess at the root tip.

The reason the tooth hurts is because this abscess is pressing against nerves outside the tooth, in the surrounding bone, creating pressure and pain.

When this happens, we do a root canal.

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 The process of doing the root canal involves removing the diseased nerve tissue from the pulp chamber and canal, and replacing it with  gutta percha - an inert rubber material that is cemented in place.

 

After the root canal is finished, the abscess goes away and the tooth is comfortable again.

 

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After the root canal is finished, the abscess heals naturally and the tooth is comfortable again.

Restoration of the tooth

After having an endodontic procedure, a crown is almost always needed, to reinforce the biting part of the tooth and seal out future decay. This crown can sometimes be made at the same appointment as the second step of the root canal procedure, and sometimes it must be made later.

Occasionally, we must also place a post in the tooth to reinforce it against fracture. These posts are either made of gold, or stainless steel, depending on the shape of the tooth and amount of stress that the tooth will have to bear.

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If you are currently in pain, please call us at 0803-318-1698 and make an appointment as soon as possible. We will examine you, take digital x-rays, and give you a written estimate of what needs to be done.

The sooner you call, the sooner we can get you out of pain and get your tooth comfortable again. Call Today!

Dr. Wale Adeleke
0803-318-1698

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