During a root canal procedure, the damaged or infected pulp inside your tooth is removed. This prevents further infection and saves the tooth.
Here's a breakdown of what happens step-by-step:
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Anesthesia: You'll receive local anesthesia to numb the tooth and surrounding area. This ensures you don't feel any pain during the procedure.
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Isolation: The dentist will isolate the tooth using a rubber dam. This sheet keeps the area clean and dry, preventing saliva from entering.
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Access Hole: A small access hole is drilled into the tooth to reach the pulp chamber and root canals.
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Pulp Removal: Using small files, the dentist carefully removes the infected or damaged pulp, bacteria, and debris from the root canals.
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Cleaning and Shaping: The root canals are then cleaned, disinfected, and shaped to prepare them for filling. This often involves using irrigating solutions to eliminate remaining bacteria.
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Filling: The cleaned and shaped canals are filled with a biocompatible material, typically gutta-percha, and a sealer. This material seals the canals to prevent future infection.
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Sealing: The access hole is sealed with a temporary filling.
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Restoration (Crown or Filling): In most cases, a crown is recommended to protect the tooth. Because the tooth is more fragile after a root canal, a crown provides support and prevents it from fracturing. In some cases, a filling may be sufficient, particularly if the tooth is not heavily damaged.
In essence, a root canal involves removing the source of infection from inside the tooth, cleaning and disinfecting the area, and then sealing it off to prevent future problems. This allows you to keep your natural tooth, avoiding extraction.
