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Saving Your ToothSaving Your ToothThrough Endodontic Through Endodontic
(Root Canal) Treatment(Root Canal) Treatment
Saving Your ToothSaving Your ToothThrough Endodontic Through Endodontic
(Root Canal) Treatment(Root Canal) Treatment
Under the hard layers of Under the hard layers of enamel and dentin...enamel and dentin...
Enamel
Dentin
After the tooth is mature, it can After the tooth is mature, it can survive without the pulp survive without the pulp
because the tooth will continue because the tooth will continue to be nourished byto be nourished by
surrounding tissues.surrounding tissues.
When a tooth is damaged When a tooth is damaged through injury or decay...through injury or decay...
Decay
If left untreated,If left untreated,an an abscessabscess can form. can form.
Decay
Abscess
DamagedPulp
How do you know if the pulp of How do you know if the pulp of your tooth is damaged?your tooth is damaged?
Signs of damaged pulp:Signs of damaged pulp:
Pain Prolonged sensitivity to heat,
cold or biting Discoloration of the tooth Swelling and tenderness in
the gums
Sometimes there areSometimes there areno symptoms.no symptoms.
But endodontic problems are often evident on an x-ray...
……so it’s important to seeso it’s important to seeyour general dentistyour general dentistat least twice a year.at least twice a year.
If you are experiencing symptoms, If you are experiencing symptoms, it is important to see your dentist.it is important to see your dentist.
When you visit your general When you visit your general dentist or endodontist, the dentist or endodontist, the
following steps may be taken:following steps may be taken:
Preparation for TreatmentPreparation for Treatment
Tooth examined X-rays taken Anesthetic given Dental dam placed
A dental dam is a small sheetA dental dam is a small sheetof rubber that surroundsof rubber that surrounds
the tooth. the tooth.
It will isolate your tooth and keep it clean during the procedure.
...your endodontist will make...your endodontist will makean an openingopening in the crown... in the crown...
AccessOpening
...and gently clean the pulp ...and gently clean the pulp from the pulp chamber...from the pulp chamber...
AccessOpening
Cleaned and ShapedPulp Chamber
……with a rubber-like material with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha.called gutta-percha.
FilledRoot Canals
Your endodontist may then Your endodontist may then place a temporary filling.place a temporary filling.
FilledRoot Canals
TemporaryFilling
This filling is meant to last for This filling is meant to last for just a short period...just a short period...
FilledRoot Canals
TemporaryFilling
...most likely a few days...most likely a few daysto a few weeks.to a few weeks.
FilledRoot Canals
TemporaryFilling
Shortly after yourShortly after yourinitial treatment,initial treatment,
you will need to returnyou will need to returnto your general dentist, to your general dentist,
who will place awho will place afinal restoration. final restoration.
...a large filling, called a ...a large filling, called a core core build upbuild up, may be necessary., may be necessary.
FilledRoot Canals
Corebuild up
Gutta-percha
If your tooth lacks sufficient If your tooth lacks sufficient structure to hold this filling...structure to hold this filling...
FilledRoot Canals
Corebuild up
……a a postpost may also be placed may also be placed inside the tooth.inside the tooth.
FilledRoot Canals
Corebuild up
Post
Gutta-percha
The purpose The purpose of the post is of the post is to help retainto help retain
the corethe corebuild up.build up.
Post
At this time, a crown or other At this time, a crown or other restorationrestoration will be placed. will be placed.
Gutta-percha
FinalRestoration
Until the final Until the final restoration is restoration is
placed, your tooth placed, your tooth will be susceptible will be susceptible
to fracture...to fracture...
……so be sure to so be sure to have the final have the final
restoration placed restoration placed in a timely manner.in a timely manner.
Your tooth may remain Your tooth may remain sensitive for a few days sensitive for a few days
following treatment.following treatment.
Over-the-counter or prescription medications should relieve
this discomfort.
If pain is severeIf pain is severeor swelling occurs,or swelling occurs,
call your endodontist.call your endodontist.
Brushing, Brushing, flossing and flossing and
regular regular checkups and checkups and cleanings are cleanings are
still important. still important.
Like any other tooth,Like any other tooth,your endodontically treated your endodontically treated
tooth can decay again.tooth can decay again.
Like any other tooth,Like any other tooth,your endodontically treated your endodontically treated
tooth can decay again.tooth can decay again.
Your endodontist may schedule Your endodontist may schedule a follow-up exam to evaluate a follow-up exam to evaluate
the healing process.the healing process.
While it is usually best to save a While it is usually best to save a natural tooth, it is sometimes natural tooth, it is sometimes
necessary to extract, or remove, necessary to extract, or remove, the tooth instead.the tooth instead.
Extraction is indicated when:Extraction is indicated when:
The tooth is severely damaged
Bone structure is not adequate to support the treatment
When a tooth is extracted,When a tooth is extracted,it is usually replaced with a it is usually replaced with a
bridge or implant. bridge or implant.
While these replacements can be successful, nothing is as good as
your natural tooth.
……however, it has been found however, it has been found that people with implants or that people with implants or
other replacements may avoidother replacements may avoidsome types of foods...some types of foods...
...while people with their ...while people with their natural teeth continue to eat a natural teeth continue to eat a
wide variety of foods.wide variety of foods.
It is also important to It is also important to remember that extraction of remember that extraction of the tooth and replacementthe tooth and replacementwith a bridge or implantwith a bridge or implantcan be can be more costlymore costly than thanendodontic treatment.endodontic treatment.
Some people avoid endodontic Some people avoid endodontic treatment for fear that a treatment for fear that a
treated tooth may turn dark. treated tooth may turn dark.
In most cases, this does not happen.
But in situations where it But in situations where it doesdoes happen, the tooth can usually happen, the tooth can usually be bleached to an acceptable be bleached to an acceptable
color with a simple procedure. color with a simple procedure.
In summary,In summary,endodontic treatment:endodontic treatment:
Relieves pain Saves teeth Is cost effective
If you have any questions, If you have any questions, please ask your generalplease ask your generaldentist or endodontist.dentist or endodontist.
And remember...