An untreated cavity can lead to an infection of the roots of your tooth. This can cause severe pain and lead to tooth loss. Tooth removal, however, may be averted by a root canal treatment performed by your dentist. In Toronto, specialists like endodontists who perform root canal treatments are committed to saving the tooth to prevent misalignment of teeth, jaw problems and replacement with an artificial tooth.
Understanding your root canal
Each tooth has a canal system that is filled with pulp made up of nerves and blood vessels which nourish a tooth when it erupts or emerges through the gum. Once your tooth matures, it also gets nourishment from the blood supply that surrounds it. This allows the tooth to remain standing even when the pulp is removed due to infection.
Pulp infection
The pulp of your tooth can become infected when bacteria enters the tooth through cracks, cavities or flawed dental fillings. An abscessed tooth can cause severe pain and swelling and other health problems if left untreated. Depending on the extent of the tooth decay, your dentist may recommend removal or a root canal treatment which will save the tooth.
Root canal treatment
In this kind of treatment, the pulp of the infected tooth is removed by first making an opening in the tooth to reach its canal system and damaged pulp. The dentist then removes the pulp using fine dental instruments, cleans and enlarges the canal system. After thoroughly cleaning the canals, your dentist will fill them up and seal them. The opening on the tooth will also be sealed with a temporary or permanent filling.
Tooth restoration
After completing your root canal treatment, the endodontist may send you back to your dentist or to a prosthodontist for tooth restoration. A prosthodontist is one who specializes in restoring and replacing teeth using crowns, bridges, dentures and implants. Depending on the condition of the treated tooth, your dentist may recommend filling it up or reinforcing it with a crown, as in the case of back teeth that are often subjected to pressure from chewing.
A tooth that has undergone root canal treatment is still susceptible to cavities and decay and does not enjoy special protection against plaque and gum disease. You will still need to take care of it and visit your dentist in Toronto regularly to make it last as long as the rest of your vital (or living) teeth.
