Sunday, August 11, 2013

Root Canal - An Expert in Saving Teeth

An injury to the tooth, a gum disease, a deep cavity or a broken tooth, all can be the cause of infection in the inner parts of a tooth. Internal damage to a tooth can even cause tooth-fall, unless it is treated in time. Root canal therapy is one such procedure which is done to free a tooth from the clutches of infection and grant it a new lease of life. It is better to save a tooth in time rather than replacing it with an artificial one.

A tooth can be divided into several parts. The outermost part or the surface of the tooth is called a crown, which is visible from the outside. This part is responsible for chewing food and is made of enamel. Then there is dentin, which is beneath the surface of a tooth and which contains essential nerves and tissues. The deepest part of the tooth contains roots which are its lifelines. Within the dentin, there is a chamber which stores dental pulp, which is responsible for the nourishment of teeth. This pulp is sensitive in nature and can easily get infected if there is a cavity or a crack that can lead germs to it.

In the event of infection reaching the pulp, its decay process starts rapidly and can cause problems like swelling in the gums and pain while chewing. The pulp chamber has a nerve tissue which when decayed, enhances the sensitivity of the tooth towards hot and cold objects. So if you feel a pinch while drinking cold water, you should consult the dentist immediately as it could be a case for root canal. The operation involves only a few steps. Dentist will first of all conduct a diagnosis of the tooth through an x-ray and identify the problem. If it is established that the infection in the tooth has caused dental pulp to decay, the dentist will drill through the enamel, across the dentin.

The next step will be to remove the infected pulp using a special instrument which fits in the canal. Once the canal is free of infection, a rubber filling replaces the decayed pulp. When the operation is done, the surface of the tooth might end up damaged. In most cases an artificial crown is used to restore the damaged surface. The dentist will hand out instructions on how to take care of your restoration. Usually a crown can last for years but you will have to take good care of it.

The success rate of root canal therapy is pretty good but that doesn't mean that the infection cannot return to damage the tooth again. You will have to take extra care of your oral health to make sure you don't have to go through another dental procedure. Regular visits to the dentist, regular and careful brushing habits are the best ways to keep a check on germs. Quitting habits such as smoking is highly advisable as it can deteriorate the health of your entire mouth rapidly. Contact a dentist at the earliest if any sign of a tooth infection appears and save your tooth.

Westhills Dental Centre offers Root Canal Therapy in Calgary to avoid tooth loss of infected or decayed tooth.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jessica_Richard_Parker

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7922119

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