Saving Your ToothSaving Your ToothThrough Endodontic Through Endodontic

(Root Canal) Treatment(Root Canal) Treatment

Saving Your ToothSaving Your ToothThrough Endodontic Through Endodontic

(Root Canal) Treatment(Root Canal) Treatment

A healthy tooth consistsA healthy tooth consistsof a crown...of a crown...

Crown

...and a root....and a root.

Crown

Root

Under the hard layers of Under the hard layers of enamel and dentin...enamel and dentin...

Enamel

Dentin

is soft tissue called is soft tissue called pulp.pulp.

Enamel

Dentin

Pulp Tissue

The pulp creates The pulp creates dentindentin during during development.development.

After the tooth is mature, it can After the tooth is mature, it can survive without the pulp survive without the pulp

because the tooth will continue because the tooth will continue to be nourished byto be nourished by

surrounding tissues.surrounding tissues.

When a tooth is damaged When a tooth is damaged through injury or decay...through injury or decay...

Decay

……the pulp canthe pulp canbecome damaged.become damaged.

Decay

DamagedPulp

If left untreated,If left untreated,an an abscessabscess can form. can form.

Decay

Abscess

DamagedPulp

How do you know if the pulp of How do you know if the pulp of your tooth is damaged?your tooth is damaged?

Signs of damaged pulp:Signs of damaged pulp:

Pain Prolonged sensitivity to heat,

cold or biting Discoloration of the tooth Swelling and tenderness in

the gums

Sometimes there areSometimes there areno symptoms.no symptoms.

But endodontic problems are often evident on an x-ray...

……so it’s important to seeso it’s important to seeyour general dentistyour general dentistat least twice a year.at least twice a year.

If you are experiencing symptoms, If you are experiencing symptoms, it is important to see your dentist.it is important to see your dentist.

When you visit your general When you visit your general dentist or endodontist, the dentist or endodontist, the

following steps may be taken:following steps may be taken:

Preparation for TreatmentPreparation for Treatment

Tooth examined X-rays taken Anesthetic given Dental dam placed

A dental dam is a small sheetA dental dam is a small sheetof rubber that surroundsof rubber that surrounds

the tooth. the tooth.

It will isolate your tooth and keep it clean during the procedure.

Once your toothOnce your toothis completely numb...is completely numb...

...your endodontist will make...your endodontist will makean an openingopening in the crown... in the crown...

AccessOpening

...and gently clean the pulp ...and gently clean the pulp from the pulp chamber...from the pulp chamber...

AccessOpening

Cleaned and ShapedPulp Chamber

...and root canals....and root canals.

AccessOpening

Cleaned and ShapedPulp Chamberand Root Canal

Once the root canals are Once the root canals are cleaned and shaped...cleaned and shaped...

……your endodontist willyour endodontist willfill the canals...fill the canals...

FilledRoot Canals

……with a rubber-like material with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha.called gutta-percha.

FilledRoot Canals

Your endodontist may then Your endodontist may then place a temporary filling.place a temporary filling.

FilledRoot Canals

TemporaryFilling

This filling is meant to last for This filling is meant to last for just a short period...just a short period...

FilledRoot Canals

TemporaryFilling

...most likely a few days...most likely a few daysto a few weeks.to a few weeks.

FilledRoot Canals

TemporaryFilling

Shortly after yourShortly after yourinitial treatment,initial treatment,

you will need to returnyou will need to returnto your general dentist, to your general dentist,

who will place awho will place afinal restoration. final restoration.

In some cases...In some cases...

...a large filling, called a ...a large filling, called a core core build upbuild up, may be necessary., may be necessary.

FilledRoot Canals

Corebuild up

Gutta-percha

If your tooth lacks sufficient If your tooth lacks sufficient structure to hold this filling...structure to hold this filling...

FilledRoot Canals

Corebuild up

……a a postpost may also be placed may also be placed inside the tooth.inside the tooth.

FilledRoot Canals

Corebuild up

Post

Gutta-percha

The purpose The purpose of the post is of the post is to help retainto help retain

the corethe corebuild up.build up.

Post

At this time, a crown or other At this time, a crown or other restorationrestoration will be placed. will be placed.

Gutta-percha

FinalRestoration

Until the final Until the final restoration is restoration is

placed, your tooth placed, your tooth will be susceptible will be susceptible

to fracture...to fracture...

……so be sure to so be sure to have the final have the final

restoration placed restoration placed in a timely manner.in a timely manner.

Your tooth may remain Your tooth may remain sensitive for a few days sensitive for a few days

following treatment.following treatment.

Over-the-counter or prescription medications should relieve

this discomfort.

If pain is severeIf pain is severeor swelling occurs,or swelling occurs,

call your endodontist.call your endodontist.

Brushing, Brushing, flossing and flossing and

regular regular checkups and checkups and cleanings are cleanings are

still important. still important.

Like any other tooth,Like any other tooth,your endodontically treated your endodontically treated

tooth can decay again.tooth can decay again.

Like any other tooth,Like any other tooth,your endodontically treated your endodontically treated

tooth can decay again.tooth can decay again.

Your endodontist may schedule Your endodontist may schedule a follow-up exam to evaluate a follow-up exam to evaluate

the healing process.the healing process.

While it is usually best to save a While it is usually best to save a natural tooth, it is sometimes natural tooth, it is sometimes

necessary to extract, or remove, necessary to extract, or remove, the tooth instead.the tooth instead.

Extraction is indicated when:Extraction is indicated when:

The tooth is severely damaged

Bone structure is not adequate to support the treatment

When a tooth is extracted,When a tooth is extracted,it is usually replaced with a it is usually replaced with a

bridge or implant. bridge or implant.

While these replacements can be successful, nothing is as good as

your natural tooth.

Your teeth are important...Your teeth are important...

……esthetically….esthetically….

……and functionally.and functionally.

Tooth replacements canTooth replacements canbe effective...be effective...

……however, it has been found however, it has been found that people with implants or that people with implants or

other replacements may avoidother replacements may avoidsome types of foods...some types of foods...

...while people with their ...while people with their natural teeth continue to eat a natural teeth continue to eat a

wide variety of foods.wide variety of foods.

It is also important to It is also important to remember that extraction of remember that extraction of the tooth and replacementthe tooth and replacementwith a bridge or implantwith a bridge or implantcan be can be more costlymore costly than thanendodontic treatment.endodontic treatment.

Some people avoid endodontic Some people avoid endodontic treatment for fear that a treatment for fear that a

treated tooth may turn dark. treated tooth may turn dark.

In most cases, this does not happen.

But in situations where it But in situations where it doesdoes happen, the tooth can usually happen, the tooth can usually be bleached to an acceptable be bleached to an acceptable

color with a simple procedure. color with a simple procedure.

In summary,In summary,endodontic treatment:endodontic treatment:

Relieves pain Saves teeth Is cost effective

If you have any questions, If you have any questions, please ask your generalplease ask your generaldentist or endodontist.dentist or endodontist.

And remember...

……with proper care...with proper care...

Endodontically treatedEndodontically treatedteeth can last a lifetime!teeth can last a lifetime!

The End