If you need a root canal, chances are you will be referred to one of the wonderful endodontists in our specialist network. With today's advances in dental technology, root canals are quicker, safer and more predictable than ever before. In many instances, these new products and techniques have allowed specialists to save teeth that were one destined for extraction. Take a look!
For starters, a root canal is a procedure performed on a tooth with an active infection or dead nerves. An opening is made in the top of the tooth and the innermost layer, called the pulp chamber, is thoroughly cleaned. The nerve canals (which follow the length of the tooth roots) are cleaned and shaped as well and filled with a resilient rubber material. After the root canal is finished, you will typically have to return to our office to have a crown placed on the tooth.
One of the most important aspects of dentistry is being able to properly visualize the problem you are trying to fix. This is particularly challenging in the field of root canals, where the root shape and location makes diagnosis and treatment difficult. Today, cone beam CT scans can make this process much more straight forward. In these images, tooth roots, nerve canals and possible fractures are visualized in three dimensions. The endodontist can then accurately predict how he will perform his procedure before starting.
Another important advancement in visualization is the use of dental microscopes in endodontic offices. The canals within your teeth can be as small as half a millimeter and vary in location from tooth to tooth. The microscope allows for much more accurate treatment and minimizes the risk of missed canals.
In the actual treatment of root canals, many advances have been made in the art of cleaning out the inner tooth. Flexible metal files shape the canals with ease while ultrasonic cleaners eliminate any residual bacteria. New materials create a better seal between the rubber filler and tooth while fending off recurrent infections. All in all, the entire process is now much more streamlined.
These technologies have helped make performing the root canal easier, which in-turn makes the patient experience more enjoyable. At any endodontist's office, your comfort is the most important aspect of the treatment. If you would like to know more about root canals, why teeth need them and how they are performed, please give our office a call.