By Arthur Kezian
What is Root Canal Surgery?
Root canal therapy is used when a tooth has an infected area, causing the patient a great deal of pain. It is sensible to point out that nowadays there is not much pain associated with the actual surgery, but the pain that is caused is from an abscess that is caused by the infection. Sometimes abscesses fill with pus and your chosen root canal specialist can drain the abscess which in turn reduces pressure on the tooth, and thus eases the patients’ pain.
What Happens to the Tooth?
The tooth is made up of enamel on the outside, with dentin underneath. Once the enamel is worn away, the dentin is exposed and this is where the infection can easily take up residence. Under the dentin is pulp which is full of capillaries containing blood and nerve tissue. When this is infected it is extremely painful and often the tissue and pulp all need to be removed. If the infection goes all the way down then the tooth must be extracted, and in some cases the infection can go down into the jaw. In this case root end surgery can be utilized.
My Dentist Gave Me Antibiotics?
Your dentist gave you antibiotics because you have an abscess. The pus inside the abscess can inactivate the pain relief your root canal specialist will use to perform the needed root canal. A root canal dentist Los Angeles must cut open and drain the abscess, and then this will mean you need a course of antibiotics. After all, you wouldn’t want your pain relief to be inactivated!
What Is A Pulpectomy?
A pulpectomy is used when a dentist feels that you are biting down on the tooth causing pain. A pulpectomy is a preliminary treatment, and involves your dentist removing some of the pulp inside the tooth. They may also consider a pulpotomy which takes out the pulp in the top section of the tooth, known as the crown, leaving the pulp in the roots. Then the dentist will apply a dressing, also a temporary filling. This will usually mean that there is no more pain.
Only Usually?
It is usually because if there is more pain it can mean one of three things. Firstly it could be because you are inadvertently biting down on the tooth. Secondly, it could be because the infection is lower down in the tooth. Thirdly, there is pus building up in the tooth. A root canal specialist must then remove as much pulp as possible and fill the gap temporarily with calcium hydroxide paste, which will clear up any inflammation. It is usually left on for a week.
Can The Tooth Be Infected Again?
The tooth that remains after the root canal work can get infected again, and like any tooth will need care and attention, also regular fluoride contained in toothpaste. Your dentist must x-ray the tooth periodically, because the tooth could be infected and you would not necessarily feel it, because all the nerve-endings have been removed and there is no feeling left.
As you can see, root canal work is not something that can be quickly done and completed; it takes a good degree of expertise and care.
If you are looking for a dentist, call Dr. Kezian to schedule a consultation. Dr. Kezian is an experienced professional with a caring empathic manner who will treat your dental needs to a very high standard. Call his office today.
Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS 443 N. Larchmont Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004 (323) 467-2777