Root Canal Treatment
Wylie, Texas
Teeth consist of a visible crown and roots anchoring them in the jaw. Each tooth has three layers: hard outer enamel or cementum, middle dentin, and a central pulp chamber containing living tissue with nerves and blood vessels.
When tooth pulp becomes infected or dies, it cannot be restored. Without treatment, extraction may be necessary, and the infection can spread to gums, jawbone, and other body areas. Root canal procedures prevent tooth loss by removing diseased pulp tissue and restoring structural integrity.
Causes Requiring Root Canal Treatment
- Deep cavities extending to the pulp chamber
- Broken or cracked teeth allowing bacterial access
- Serious gum disease spreading infection to roots
- Trauma damaging internal nerves or blood vessels
The Procedure
- Numbing the area and isolating the tooth with a dam
- Creating an opening to access pulp
- Using instruments to remove dead tissue
- Thoroughly disinfecting
- Shaping the interior to hold filling material
- Filling roots and chamber with gutta-percha or composite
- Sealing the tooth
A crown typically protects the tooth afterward, placed after a temporary restoration. Treatment typically requires one to three appointments.
Infection Symptoms
- Persistent tooth pain
- Pain during chewing
- Prolonged heat/cold sensitivity
- Discolored teeth
- Red or swollen gum tissue
- Recurring pimple-like gum bumps indicating abscess formation
An endodontist or specially trained dentist should perform this procedure. Prompt treatment relieves pain and prevents further infection, with properly maintained teeth lasting a lifetime.
