When is root canal therapy the only choice?

A good endodontist is all you need to ensure your tooth is restored and remains disease free.

Anchorage, AK (prHWY.com) April 23, 2012 - When the cavity-causing bacteria have infected the pulp of the tooth, an endodontic therapy or root canal treatment remains the only option. The blood vessels and nerves at the center of the tooth are called the pulp and the pulp lies in a space called the root canal, hence the name of the procedure. Endodontic therapy involves the removal of infection as well as blood supply of the tooth. This procedure is called pulpectomy. First a hole is drilled into the chewing surface to gain access to the pulp chamber. In the next step, the infected pulp is completely removed. The empty canals are then shaped using files and filled with an non-reactive latex called gutta-percha. It is produced from the sap of Palaquium trees found in tropical regions. A 'dental crown' or a 'cap' is then placed over the treated tooth. Crowns are available in the form of gold, white porcelain or porcelain fused with gold. A dentist prescribes the material of the dental crown depending on the clinical demands, aesthetics, strength requirements of the position of the treated tooth, material durability and the availability of restorative space. If the treated tooth is not covered with a cap, the tooth will fracture after some time.This happens because the tooth structure is removed from the tooth during the treatment thereby weakening tooth's structural strength. Also, the tooth that has undergone the therapy becomes brittle because the blood supply to the tooth, which nourishes the tooth structure, is removed during the procedure. A crown also acts a seal to the treated tooth. However, a root canal does not necessarily mean the tooth is immune to decay in the future. Therefore it is necessary to have it checked by your dentist periodically.

Root canal therapy has been the one of the most dreaded procedures in dentistry, but with the advent of modern, local anesthetics and medications that can be administered before and after treatment, the procedure has become fast as well as relatively painless.

A patient may choose to forgo a root canal treatment and decide to leave the tooth untreated or opt for tooth extraction. After tooth extraction, a dental implant, or a permanent bridge can be installed to replace the missing tooth. However, it is not recommended to leave the tooth untreated because it could lead to pain and worsening of the dental infection.

Finding the right dentist in Anchorage is as important as the procedure itself to ensure excellent results and long life of the treated tooth.

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Categories: Health

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For more information contact:

Alaska Center for Dentistry Anchorage, PC
3708 Rhone Circle
Anchorage Alaska 99508
(907) 562-2512
http://www.alaskacenterfordentistry.com/

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