Root Canal
If the nerve of a tooth is irreversibly damaged from decay or trauma, it must be removed. The choice then is to either remove the entire tooth, or remove just the nerve and keep the tooth. A root canal does just that: it removes the unsaveable nerve, disinfects the inside of the tooth, and seals it shut with a watertight filling to keep out bacteria.
The root canal procedure has changed dramatically for the better over the last 20 years. It typically is a no more difficult experience for the patient than that of having a filling.
Procedure:
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The patient undergoes anesthesia.
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A dental dam is used to isolate the tooth.
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The tooth is opened to allow for removal of infected or dead dental pulp.
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The tooth is cleaned and disinfected.
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With special tools, the doctor reshapes the canals.
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The tooth is filled again with cutting edge biocompatible filling material to make a water-tight seal.