Your teeth are made up of enamel, a middle layer called dentin, and dental pulp—the soft inner core that reaches down into your tooth roots. Dental pulp, which contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue, can become inflamed or infected when tooth decay infiltrates it.
The goal of a root canal in Chattanooga, TN, is to remove infected pulp and help save the tooth from extraction. Although root canal treatment at Nooga Dentistry requires tedious steps, it alleviates what can be painful symptoms through a virtually painless, tooth-saving procedure!
Infected tooth pulp is diagnosed through a combination of symptoms and diagnostics. Dr. Mark Dill or one of our associate dentists may tap or perform cold stimuli to assess dental pulp sensitivity. During a root canal in Chattanooga, TN, we first numb the area, then apply a rubber dental dam to isolate the tooth and keep it dry.
The next step in root canal treatment is to drill a small hole in the top of your tooth. Specialized tools are used to remove all the bacteria and infected pulp from inside the tooth. Any debris is gently flushed out using water and/or a disinfectant.
The cleaned out chamber is filled and sealed at the end with a rubber-like, inert material called gutta-percha. While our advanced protocols prevent or minimize the risk of reinfection, complex root anatomy can sometimes necessitate retreatment. In such cases, a second root canal may be warranted, or an oral surgery procedure called an apicoectomy treats the end tip of the root (apex).
After root canal treatment, you may experience mild sensitivity for a few days as your tooth heals. Follow-up care, including placing a crown on the treated tooth, is commonly advised to protect the weakened structure from future damage.
If you disregard symptoms of infected dental pulp, the bacteria can enter your bloodstream through blood vessels. If it spreads throughout your body, this can cause life-threatening issues, especially if you have a serious underlying condition. Potentially serious repercussions can be prevented by treating tooth decay and cracked teeth as soon as possible and getting a root canal if needed!
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