Root Canal Treatment

An infected tooth has to be repaired through appropriate treatment. When the pulp of the natural tooth gets infected, it has to be removed at the earliest to avoid the danger of infection spreading to other teeth and to the supporting structure. Root canal treatment is a procedure that is followed to treat a tooth with infected pulp. It is a complex procedure where the dentist makes an opening in the tooth and carefully removes the pulp and restores it using appropriate dental materials. Our dentist has been in practice for about twenty years. Through root canal treatment we have been successful in improving oral health in many of our patients who visit us from Cathedral City, and other nearby localities. If you are suffering from a toothache, make an appointment and meet our dentist at the earliest. Our treatment can help us recreate a healthy smile for you.

How does the pulp of the tooth get infected?

To know about the infection of pulp, it is good to know the anatomy of the natural tooth. The tooth has an enamel layer, dentin, and pulp. The pulp has blood cells and nerves. It provides nutrition that helps in proper growth of tooth. Once a tooth is fully-grown, the pulp can be removed, provided it is infected and posing a threat to the existence of tooth.

The pulp gets infected when it is exposed to bacterial invasion. Caries is a byproduct of infection of natural tooth structure. The plaque, which is a biofilm of bacteria, feeds on sugars in food to create acids that dissolve tooth and form caries. When caries grow deeper to reach the pulp, the bacteria come in contact with the soft tissues. The bacteria inflame and infect the pulp. If not treated in time, the infection can spread to the root of the tooth causing abscess and further spread to teeth nearby.

Root canal treatment

The root canal treatment involves making an opening in the natural tooth and removal of pulp. Firstly the dentist performs a thorough examination to check if the pulp is infected. X-rays are taken and scanning may be done to check the status of natural teeth. Once the dentist confirms that the pulp is infected, a treatment plan is set and it is explained to patients.

Local anesthesia is used to numb the area. A rubber dam may be used to isolate the tooth from other teeth. An opening is made in the natural tooth to access pulp. The infected pulp is removed and the root canal is filed to clear it from bacteria. Appropriate dental materials are used to fill the canal and the natural tooth. A dental crown is used to finally cover the treated tooth. This crown protects the tooth from further damage and supports its functions.