ROOT CANAL TREATMENT (Endodontics)
Endodontics is a branch of dentistry that deals with treating irreversible and reversible conditions of teeth. The most common procedure performed is root canal treatment. Endodontic therapy also consists of root canal re-treatment, endodontic surgery and endodotic cosmetic procedure such as non-vital bleaching of a tooth.

A tooth needing root canal treatment or re-treatment can show a wide range of symptoms and diagnostic findings. Pain and swelling are the most common.

Patients usually associate root canal treatment with severe discomfort. Most procedures are painless with proper administration of local anesthesia.

Root Canal Treatment

Why do we need root canal treatment:

-to eliminate  inflamed tissue or dead tissue (necrotic tooth),  bacteria and its byproduct and any other irritating substances from the root of a tooth

-to seal the opening through which the nerve and blood vessels enter the tooth

-which will keep bugs and other irritants that were left in the canal of a tooth in check 

Cause:

1. Most common is a bacterial infection 

-a large cavity allows bacteria (bugs) to get to the pulp (area where the nerve and blood vessels are)

-this causes inflammation (swelling) within the tooth which leads to pain 

2. Trauma is another cause 

-traumatic episode leads to either compromised or no blood flow to the tooth. 

-this will cause the nerve and vessels in the tooth to die 

Treatment:

-it is aimed at cleaning the canal of the tooth to eliminate the swollen, diseased tissue or dead tissue. 

-a filler material is placed in the tooth to create a tight seal at the opening to the root

-this is performed to seal any bugs or other bad substances within the tooth

^{-without a good seal the bugs will cause an inflammation (swelling)}

Root Canal Re-Treatment

Purpose:

-to eliminate any bacteria (bad bugs) that were left in the canal of the tooth during the initial treatment

-to obtain a better seal as close as possible near the root of the tooth

-to eliminate any symptoms of infection or inflammation such as pain on chewing or pain in and around the tooth

Treatment:

-consists of removing old filling material, cleaning out the canal and placing a new filler material

-treatment is successful if symptoms diminis

Necrotic "DEAD" Tooth

-the term necrotic in simple terms means dead

-it refers to the dying  of live tissue within the tooth such as nerves and vessels

Cause:

-tooth necrosis can be caused by: 

          -trauma

          -large cavity (bacteria causes inflammation within the tooth)

         -long standing inflammation within the tooth due to trauma or bacteria 

Treatment: 

-it is aimed at cleaning the canal of the tooth to eliminate the dead tissue. 

-a filler material is placed in the tooth to create a tight seal at the opening to the root

-this is performed to seal any bugs or other bad substances within the tooth

-without a good seal the bugs can  cause inflammation and swelling

-poor seal is the main reason for pain and swelling after root canal treatment

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