What is the process that occurs during root canal therapy for Spring area patients?
Patients who are told by a Spring area dentist that they may need a root canal often ask their dentist about what the process entails. The procedure is done in one appointment, with a crown often being placed later to protect the tooth that was repaired. The entire process is done under local anesthesia to ensure patients’ comfort.
First, it is important to understand why patients may need to undergo root canal therapy. Those who are dealing with abscesses, deep decay, infection, trauma, or disease may need to undergo this treatment to save the natural tooth. Maintaining the natural tooth is important in keeping oral health at its prime. Dr. Robert G. Dernick, DDS will explain to patients the advantages of keeping the natural teeth, as it can prevent the need for restorations such as bridge, dentures, or dental implants in the future.
The root canal process starts with anesthesia to make the visit a pain-free one. Dr. Robert G. Dernick, DDS will not start the procedure until patients are made comfortable. Once the area is numbed, he starts by drilling a hole into the tooth. Using special, small instruments, he then removes the dental pulp from the inside of the tooth. The dental pulp is tissue that holds the blood supply and the nerves that can deliver sensory information to the brain. This is why patients experience pain when the dental pulp has become infected or traumatized. By removing this, the dentist is essentially “deadening” the tooth.
Once the dental pulp has been extracted from the inner canals of the tooth, the area is cleaned and disinfected before it is sealed with composite bonding. Then, impressions are made to prepare for the placement of a crown. Dental crowns are fabricated at an outside laboratory with specific instructions per the dentist for color, shape, and size. Patients may return at a later appointment for the placement of the crown, which can help protect the now weakened structure of the natural tooth.
Related Articles
- 7 Top Questions About Root Canals
- What to do about a Cracked Tooth
- When patients in the Spring area may need to see a dentist for root canal therapy
- Dental professional Dr. Robert G. Dernick, DDS of the Spring community describes root canal therapy
- What is Done During a Root Canal?
- What is the Dental Pulp?
- Addressing root canal treatment pain.
