FOR THE DENTAL PATIENT ...

dAn opening is made through the crown of the Getting to the root tooth. The pulp is removed, and then the root is cleaned and shaped. Medication may be added to of endodontic (root the pulp chamber and root canal(s) to help elimi- nate bacteria. dA temporary filling is placed in the crown canal) treatments opening to keep saliva out. Antibi- THE GOAL: PRESERVING THE TOOTH otics may be pre- scribed if an infec- n the past, injured or diseased teeth fre- tion is present and quently had to be removed. Today, they has spread beyond often can be saved through endodontic the end of the treatment. Also known as a root canal treat- root(s). ment, this procedure may be performed by a On the next Igeneral dentist or a specialist called an endodon- visit: tist. More than one office visit usually is required. dThe temporary filling is removed. PULP PARTICULARS dThe root canal is filled and per- A root canal treatment generally involves the manently sealed. removal and replacement of a tooth’s pulp. The (A metal or plastic pulp is soft tissue containing blood vessels, nerves rod or post may be and connective tissue. placed in the root dThe pulp is found in a canal that runs through canal for struc- the center of the hard tissue on the inside of the tural support.) tooth (the dentin). If an endodon- dThe pulp extends from the pulp chamber in the tist performs the crown down through the root canal to the tip of procedure, he or A healthy tooth. the root in the jawbone. she usually will dA tooth has only one pulp chamber but may send you back to your general dentist for prepara- have more than one root and several root canals. tion of a crown to be placed on the tooth. Crowns If pulp becomes damaged through injury or dis- are made from a variety of materials, depending ease and cannot repair itself, bacteria and their on the location of the tooth, the color of the tooth products can leak into the pulp and cause the and the amount of natural tooth remaining. Dis- pulp to die. If a root canal procedure is not per- cuss with your dentist which option is best for formed, an abscess can form at the tip of the root you. and cause considerable pain. Even if there is no pain, the bone anchoring the tooth in the jaw can THE REST IS UP TO YOU be damaged. Without treatment, the tooth may have to be extracted. The restored tooth can remain healthy as long as its roots are nourished by the surrounding tis- WHAT TO EXPECT sues. Good oral hygiene at home and regular dental visits can help prevent tooth decay and Here is what you can expect when you schedule a gum disease. If you take good care of it, the root canal treatment. restored tooth could last a lifetime. On the initial visit: d Local anesthetic usually is given, to maintain Prepared by the ADA Division of Communications, in cooperation patient comfort. with The Journal of the American Dental Association. Unlike other por- d tions of JADA, this page may be clipped and copied as a handout for The affected tooth is isolated from saliva with a patients, without first obtaining reprint permission from ADA Pub- rubberlike sheet called a dam. lishing, a division of ADA Business Enterprises Inc.

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