In the center of all teeth is an area called the “pulp chamber.” The root canal runs through the entire length of the pulp chamber. Depending on the tooth there may be as many as four root canals, molars have multiple canals while bicuspids and incisors only have a single root canal.
The nerves of the tooth are carried within these tiny chambers, should you get infection or suffer some trauma of the nerve then the dentists will undertake a procedure known as a root canal in Fairfield County CT. A few of the reasons why a root canal has to be done are:
- Tooth decay which has reached the tooth pulp
- A tooth which has become abscessed because a cavity was left untreated
- Nerve exposure due to tooth trauma
- The tooth dies as a result of past trauma or aging
Dentists can perform a root canal in Fairfield County CT in one or two visits. Prior to undergoing the procedure the dentist will have gathered enough information on the problem to be able to advise you the number of appointments that will be necessary. In cases where the root canal must be done due to an infection or abscess, the dentist will often place you on a course of antibiotics prior to starting the procedure. Once everything is ready, the dentist will numb the area and if necessary the patient will be sedated.
Working from a set of X-Ray images, the dentist begins the procedure by drilling a small hole through the tooth directly into the pulp chamber; it is in the pulp chamber where the dentist locates the nerve or nerves. Using a series of tiny files the dentist slowly removes the nerve along with any tissue which may be diseased. Some of the files that are used are hand operated while others are used by the rotary instrument. During the procedure the dentist may stop and take further X-Rays to determine the position of the instrument as it relates to the root depth. It is absolutely necessary that all the nerve be removed otherwise there will be problems such as tooth aches caused by the remaining nerve.
When the dentists are completely confident that all the nerve has been removed, the hole is dried and the hole is then filled with a rubberized sealing material. Once this sequence of events is completed, the dentist proceeds to close the tooth with a permanent filling.
If you are experiencing pain or other dental difficulties then you will need the services of family dentists. You are invited to contact Elke Cheung Dentistry for an appointment.
