Inside each one of your teeth is a chamber-like space containing nerves and the blood supply for your tooth. When the chamber becomes infected, the “pulp tissue” inside it must be removed from the center of the tooth, and the canals of each root. Once infected pulp is removed, the chamber is filled with a rubber-based material to seal it off.
A root canal is a treatment option used to save or repair a tooth that is infected, decayed, or necrotic. Root canals allow for the patient to save their tooth rather than having it pulled.
When the pulp or nerve tissue of the tooth is damaged, it will break down, and the bacteria will start to multiply in the pulp chamber. The bacteria and the decayed debris will then cause an infection. An abscess will also form. For those who don’t know about abscess, this is a pocket filled with pus, and it will form at the end of the teeth’s roots. The abscess will form when the infection has spread past the ends of the teeth’s roots. When the root canal of the teeth has been infected, it will cause:
An endodontist will perform the root canal. The endodontist has specialized in the diagnosis, causes, treatment, and prevention of ailments and injuries of the nerves of the teeth or dental pulp.
The dentist will perform an X-ray that will help check the shape of the root canal while also determining whether there is an infection present in the surrounding bone.
The endodontist will administer local anesthesia to numb the area around the tooth. If the nerves are dead, there is no need to administer anesthesia; nonetheless, most endodontists will administer anesthesia to ensure you’ll feel more relaxed during the procedure.
A rubber dam will be placed in your mouth to ensure the area where the surgery is being performed will be free of saliva, and it’ll be dry throughout the procedure.
The endodontist will access the nerve of the tooth.
The bacteria, pulp, and nerve tissue that is decayed will be removed. The area will then be cleaned, and root canal files will be performed. They’ll be placed into the access hole. As the work is carried out, antibacterial agents are used to help flush out the debris.
The canals are shaped to ensure no debris/bacteria are left or can be accessed in the future. The canals are then filled with a biocompatible material to seal them off.
In circumstances where an infection is large, it will require multiple appointments to finish the root canal, as medication will be placed inside the tooth to ensure proper healing.
Once a root canal is finished, the tooth will need to be built up to its proper anatomy and a crown will ensure the tooth’s longevity.
Once the root canal procedure is completed, the tooth must be protected with a crown. Teeth that have undergone this procedure are more susceptible to fracture, which is why the crown is added as protection.
Dr. Kasravi’s approach to root canal therapy starts with listening to her patients. As the Endodontist Irvine trusts, she has earned enormous respect from her peers. After graduating from the University of Southern California’s School of Dentistry, she practiced general dentistry for a few years. After, she completed her residency at Case Western Reserve University, earning a specialty degree in endodontics and a master’s degree in surgical dentistry.
Dr. Kasravi’s favorite part of endodontics procedures is when her patients express relief - most expect the worst and discover that the procedure was not as anticipated. She will always discuss your diagnosis, options, and overview of root canal therapy to make sure that your experience is as comfortable as possible.
