Root Canals: (Endodontics)

Atlanta, Georgia

Simply put, a root canal is the removal of the nerve from inside a tooth. You get to keep the tooth, but eliminate the source of the problem.

Root canal therapy, or endodontics, is the method by which dentists save a diseased or injured tooth. In the past, if your teeth became unhealthy or had damaged nerves, they were likely to be extracted. But with endodontic treatment, your tooth can be saved, usually in just one or two visits !

Fact:
Root canals get you out of pain, they do not cause pain! If you've ever seen someone with a bad toothache, they are very eager to have a root canal to eliminate the pain!

X-ray of a Successful Root Canal

Inside each tooth, and continuing on down into its root is a hollow space known as a canal. Inside this canal are the tooth's nerve, blood vessels and connective tissue. Together, these are known as the tooth's pulp; the canal is known as the root canal. It extends from the chamber in the tooth's crown all the way to the tooth's root tip in the jawbone. It allows the body's circulatory and nervous systems to enter the tooth, nourishing it, removing waste, and innervating it. When bacterial infection spreads (by a bad tooth cavity) into the root canal, an abscess may form in the jawbone, allowing decay to spread through the bone.

The Procedure:
Once you've been thoroughly numbed, Dr. Tekin makes a small opening in the tooth to remove the affected nerve. The canals are cleaned out with instruments and irrigation. X-rays are taken to ensure completeness. The space created by the removal of the nerve is filled with gutta percha (an inert, biocompatible material made of natural rubber) and a paste sealer. The opening is filled, completing the root canal. Antibiotics may or may not be then prescribed.

Post Procedure:
After a tooth has had a root canal. It is hollow and very likely to fracture. A crown is the next important step to protect your tooth and ensure longevity.

Good oral hygiene and regular visits to Dr. Tekin for checkups and cleanings, will give you all you need to make your endodontic treatment and subsequent dental health a success. If you have any toothache, or a badly damaged tooth, don't wait too long to have it repaired. Please contact us today to set up a free consultation if you live in the Atlanta (or surrounding areas) of Georgia.

Root Canals: (Endodontics)

Atlanta, Georgia

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