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Clinic services |
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| Root Canal Treatment |
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The purpose of root canal treatment is to save a decayed tooth, usually to preserve
its ability to functioning normally. Root canal treatment is performed when caries
pass spread into the crown of the tooth and dentin and penetrate the tooth
pulp. Tooth pulp is a tissue that contains dental nerves and blood vessels that
nourish the tooth, and it extends from the crown to the tip of the tooth’s roots
which are sunk deep in the jaw bone. The pulp is damaged at an advance stage of
tooth decay. Without treatment, the bacteria advances to the tip of the roots,
with the risk of abscess formation and the spread of the infection to the jawbones.
The process of tooth decay causes pain, swelling, the formation of pus pockets
and risk to the bone. Without root canal treatment and the removal of infection,
the only alternative is to extract the tooth.
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Root canal treatment has three stages:
• removing the pulp from the root canal
• Clearing the vacated space and the roots from bacteria residue.
• sealing the vacated space
The pulp is
removed through a small opening made in the crown of the tooth (assuming that
caries did not cause too large a hole).The pulp is removed through this opening
and the tooth cavity and the roots are cleaned. Occasionally, it is necessary to
insert medication into the tooth cavity in order to eliminate bacteria and
prevent infection. At the end of this stage (assuming the root canal treatment
is not completed in a single visit) the opening of the crown is sealed with a
temporary filling. At the next visit, the temporary filling is opened, and an
inert material is compressed into the root canals (an x-ray usually determines
their length) and pulp cavity. The material must be well compression in orer to
prevent repeated treatment. The opening in the crown of the tooth is sealed,
and if necessary, a new crown is made. The treated tooth is nourished by blood
vessels adjacent to the tooth roots and can function properly for many years.
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