The root canal's reputation began when the treatment was very painful. That reputation continues, even though the root canal procedure has changed considerably.
Patricia Meredith, DDS, clinic director, Hospital General Dentistry at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, talks about the root canal procedure:
What are the signs or symptoms that someone may need a root canal?
Patients frequently have pain when a root canal is needed. Some patients might even have swelling near the tooth that's affected. The pain usually starts on its own with no stimulus—that means it hurts even if you're not eating or chewing—and it may be a throbbing pain and in the early stages the pain might even come and go.
Has this procedure improved within the past decade?
Significant improvements in the root canal procedure have occurred, both in the procedure itself and in anesthesia. Both improvements make root canal much more comfortable for a patient. Digital images allowsus to see much more definition inside the tooth. This helps us do a better job of locating and negotiating root canal.
Instruments and filling materials also have made significant improvements in root canals; they give a cleaner canal and a better seal, most of which improve root canal success. Improvements in local anesthesia—the numbing that we do prior to a root canal—help the patient be more comfortable during the procedure.
What does a root canal procedure consist of?
Teeth have a space in the root of the tooth where the nerve and the blood supply exist called the root canal. When the nerve of the tooth becomes infected from a cavity or maybe dies from trauma to the tooth, the space has to be cleaned out to treat or prevent infection. This is the root canal.
The dentist makes a small opening in the chewing surface of the tooth to go into the root canal space. The infected nerve and tissue is cleaned out and the space is filled with a rubber substance. Your tooth is still in your mouth, just not alive.
The final part of the procedure is to fill in that little hole the dentist made in the top of the tooth. Sometimes that can be a filling, or if a lot of tooth is missing, a crown or a cap is needed.
Does a root canal save the original tooth?
Yes, it does allow you to keep your original tooth and keep it in your mouth, although the tooth is not alive. We like to keep the original equipment. That's the best thing.
Why is it important to save the tooth and not just pull it?
Enough tooth structure remains above the gum line to keep the tooth at its original size and shape. It's much better to have that original root system than a replacement. There's really nothing better than your original tooth.
Can the root canal cause other illnesses to occur?
Actually, it can be serious when you have a root canal infection. If it's not treated in a timely manner, you can get a very serious infection. These infections can be serious enough to lead to hospitalization. It's very important to see your dentist soon if you have a toothache.
Do root canals have a high success rate? How likely would it be for the same tooth to become affected again at some point?
The success rates for root canals are just like any other medical or dental procedure. It depends on the tooth, the condition of the tooth, and the person's overall health. But generally root canals are very successful, Reinfection of the same tooth is not common but can occur when there are other factors that come into play, such as an unusually shaped root canal or difficult access to the tooth. |
