Root canal treatment, also known as endodontic therapy, is a dental procedure designed to save a severely damaged or infected tooth, preventing its extraction. It involves removing the pulp (the innermost soft tissue) of the tooth, which contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. This pulp is removed when it becomes infected due to deep cavities, fractures, or trauma.
The procedure typically unfolds in several steps:
Diagnosis: The dentist first examines the tooth and takes X-rays to assess the extent of damage or infection.
Local Anesthesia: The tooth and surrounding area are numbed to ensure the patient's comfort during the procedure.
Access Opening: The dentist creates an opening in the tooth's crown to access the pulp chamber and root canals.
Cleaning and Shaping: Special instruments are used to clean out the infected or damaged pulp and shape the inner chambers to accommodate filling material.
Filling: After thorough cleaning, the empty spaces are filled with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha to seal off the root canals and prevent future infection.
Restoration: To restore the tooth's functionality and appearance, a crown or filling is placed over the treated tooth.
