Root canal therapy is needed when the nerve of a tooth is affected by decay
or infection. In order to save the tooth, the pulp (the living tissue
inside the tooth), nerves, bacteria, and any decay are removed and the
resulting space is filled with special, medicated, dental materials, which
restore the tooth to its full function.
Having a root canal done on a tooth is the treatment of choice to save a
tooth that otherwise would die and have to be removed. Many patients
believe that removing a tooth that has problems is the solution, but what is
not realized is that extracting (pulling) a tooth will ultimately be more
costly and cause significant problems for adjacent teeth.
Root canal treatment is highly successful and usually lasts a lifetime,
although on occasion, a tooth will have to be retreated due to new infections.
Signs and symptoms for possible root
canal therapy: An abscess (or pimple) on the
gums. Sensitivity to hot and cold. Severe toothache pain. Sometimes no symptoms are
present. Swellingand/or tenderness.
Periodontal disease is diagnosed by your dentist or dental hygienist during
a periodontal examination. This type of exam should always be part
of your regular dental check-up.
A periodontal probe (small dental instrument) is gently used to measure the
sulcus (pocket or space) between the tooth and the gums. The depth of a
healthy sulcus measures three millimeters or less and does not bleed. The
periodontal probe helps indicate if pockets are deeper than three
millimeters. As periodontal disease progresses, the pockets usually get
deeper.
Your dentist or hygienist will use pocket depths, amount of bleeding,
inflammation, tooth mobility, etc., to make a diagnosis that will fall into a
category below:
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontal disease. Plaque and its
toxin by-products irritate the gums, making them tender, inflamed, and likely
to bleed.
Periodontitis
Plaque hardens into calculus (tartar). As calculus and plaque continue
to build up, the gums begin to recede from the teeth. Deeper pockets form
between the gums and teeth and become filled with bacteria and pus. The
gums become very irritated, inflamed, and bleed easily.Slight to moderate bone
loss may be present.
Advanced Periodontitis
The teeth lose more support as the gums, bone, and periodontal ligament
continue to be destroyed. Unless treated, the affected teeth will become
very loose and may be lost. Generalized moderate to severe bone loss may
be present.