Why do you perform root canals?
Teeth are hollow, and the cavity inside the tooth is called the root canal system. This cavity contains the normal nerves, blood vessels, and other tissues that support and nourish the tooth. When this tissue inside the tooth becomes exposed by a fracture or dies secondary to trauma, the inside of the tooth becomes a reservoir of infection and damaging substances that the body cannot clear on its own. The contents of the canal leak out the tip of the root over time, creating problems around the end of the root. In many cases the tooth will eventually fall out, but the process is long, uncomfortable, and can damage adjacent teeth.
In the not too distant past, the only treatment available for teeth that were dead or infected was extraction. Extraction of teeth typically involves gum flaps, sutures and removal of bone to allow complete extraction of the tooth. This involves some discomfort for the patient and causes complete loss of function associated with that specific tooth.
Root canal treatment involves little or no discomfort and maintains the function of the dentition. Root canal treatment involves drilling a small hole into the tooth so that the inside of the tooth can be cleaned, sterilized, and then filled with an inert filling material. This takes away any space inside the tooth for accumulation of bacteria and toxic substances, while keeping the tooth intact. The small hole is then filled with an appropriate restorative material.
While we do not recommend root canal treatment for all dead or broken teeth, at times root canal treatment is preferred to extraction. Certain teeth are more important for chewing function, such as the large back premolars and molars. These are large multi-rooted teeth whose roots extend deep into the bone.
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| Fractured tooth |
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| A file being used during root canal |
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| Radiograph of tooth after Root Canal. |
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