Root canal treatment may be a treatment option for patients with dental issues such as extensive decay, fracture, or if a tooth is otherwise damaged. Teeth have multiple layers, the innermost being the pulp of the tooth which contains the nerves and blood flow, contained inside the canals of the tooth root. If a tooth becomes damaged or has severe decay, an infection can develop in the pulp and cause a great deal of pain. Infection can develop even years after a tooth becomes damaged and without treatment, an abscess can form at the tip of the root within the jawbone and cause more damage.
A root canal is the treatment of the infected pulp of a tooth by means of removing the tissue. Removing the damaged nerve and tissue within can save a tooth that might otherwise be deemed hopeless and require extraction. An endodontist is a dental specialist who will perform a root canal treatment which can take between 30 minutes and two hours, depending on the number of canals and the extent of the infection.
How is root canal therapy performed?
Most of the time, a root canal can be completed in one visit. Teeth with multiple canals or severe damage may require two appointments. To begin, the endodontist will perform an evaluation with multiple tests on the tooth in question to better assess the damage and determine if a root canal is the best treatment for you. Once that is complete and the doctor has determined that you would benefit from root canal therapy, they will administer a local anesthetic and then drill an access hole into the tooth to reach the canals. Small cylindrical files are used to clean the canals of the infected pulp. After all pulp tissue has been removed, they will irrigate the canals and place an anti-microbial agent into each to prevent reinfection while you wait for your permanent restoration.
In addition to the antimicrobial agent, a rubbery material called gutta-percha is placed into each canal to protect them and a temporary filling is used to cover the access hole. These help protect the tooth from further damage and reinfection until your dentist can restore the tooth permanently.
Your dentist will remove the temporary filling and the gutta-percha before placing a permanent composite filling or a porcelain crown, depending on the state of your tooth. A filling is preferable since it preserves the most natural tooth structure.
How long will a root canal treated tooth last?
A root canal treated tooth can last the rest of your life with proper care and maintenance. As time goes by, a root canal treated tooth may become brittle so your tooth may eventually require a new restoration or even the placement of a crown if a composite filling was initially done after the root canal.
Keep in mind that even though a tooth has had root canal therapy, it can still develop decay. During your regular hygiene appointments, your dentist will take x-rays every 1 to 2 years to make sure that no cavities are developing under your dental restoration. If you do not have the nerves of your tooth, you will not feel any pain and may not know that decay is developing so these x-rays are crucial to the longevity of your tooth and your oral health.