A root canal infection is known to be one of the most severe oral conditions. It mainly affects the central dental pulp by decaying the nerves and blood vessels present in it. If left untreated for a long time, the condition could lead to more devastating symptoms such as severe pain, jawbone deterioration, and even tooth loss. A root canal therapy is ideally the last resort option to save a severely infected tooth.
A root canal infection is mainly caused due to a cavity that is often ignored for a prolonged period of time. The microbes in the cavity could decay the tissues to such an extent that the cavity reaches the central root canal. Once the microbes reach it, they could infect the pulp and lead to severe pain, the discharge of pus, bleeding gums, etc. In some instances, external trauma to the teeth could lead to cracks, chipping, or fractures. The microbes may enter the root canal through these fissures to cause an infection.
The dentist will examine the infected tooth thoroughly to determine the severity of the condition. If possible, it could be treated by removing the decay using scaling and treating the infection with medication. But, if the disease is severe, root canal therapy would be necessary to ensure you retain the tooth.
A rubber dam will be placed on the teeth to isolate the infected one. With highly precise dental instruments, a small hole will be made in the tooth to access the infected pulp. Dental files will be used to remove the infected pulp and scrub the walls of the cavity. A jet of water is used to remove the microbes and debris. The cavity will be sealed off using a suitable filling material after placing antibiotic medication in it.
Since the dental pulp is removed from the tooth, it could gradually weaken due to the lack of nourishment. Hence, it is best to get it restored using a ceramic dental crown to keep it from cracking or crumbling under high forces.
Please get in touch with us through online consultation or by calling us at (401)-732-5566, and we’ll guide you further.
