Recognizing The Benefits of Dental Implants

As dental procedures go, root canals have probably among the most unfairly negative of reputations. That's not to say a root canal is a simple procedure, but the process has improved dramatically in quality and comfort over the decades. Root canals are still very involved procedures, though, and you'd be right to want to know how involved they can be. Let's examine the problem a dentist aims to solve, what a root canal is, and what the procedure involves.

The Problem

Deep decay inside of a tooth may progress to the point that it harms much of the softer tissue. Frequently, a dentist can treat decay by drilling out the affected areas and replacing the natural materials with resin. This is what happens during most fillings, and it's also a similar process for the more aggressive caries control procedure.

Once the decay reaches the root of the tooth, though, there's a major risk of losing the tooth. At this point, a more radical procedure is required to remove the infection from the root.

The Procedure

A dentist must drill into the root of the tooth. This drilled channel is what gives the root canal its name. Application of so much heat and friction during the drilling process is what in the last century gave the procedure a reputation for being painful and involved. Improvements in drills and pain management, though, have dramatically reduced the agony of root canals.

The modern version of the procedure usually takes about 90 minutes per tooth. Outpatient recovery with pain medication is the norm.

What a Root Canal Involves

Once there is a channel into the root of the tooth, the dentist has to identify all of the decay materials. They then proceed to remove the materials and the root. The goal is to hollow out the tooth. Notably, this distinguishes it from similar procedures like filings because the living tissue is gone when the doctor is done.

The first step is determining whether a root canal is appropriate. An assistant to the dentist will perform X-rays to see what the state of the inside of the tooth is. Likewise, a hygienist will clean around the tooth to make sure nothing like hard plaque is obscuring the view.

If you've already had multiple fillings or a caries control procedure with a tooth, a later infection is going to require a root canal. While the doctor will stick check to see if there might be other options, the expectation is that the root will be infected.

For more information on root canals, contact a dentist such as John B Webster DDS.