Home   About TTF   TTF Services   TTF Clinic   Dentist Uncle   His articles   Affiliated With   Camps & Programs   Pediatric Dentistry   The Tooth Tour   Tips for kids/parents   Testimonials   Contact us His Articles   SAVE YOUR CHILD ‘S TOOTH WITH A ROOT CANAL TREATMENT   Teeth are held in the jaw by their roots. Inside the roots there are nerves and blood supply. When the tooth is healthy; the nerves are healthy the nerves are alive. Decay or trauma however may cause them to die. Left untreated, an abscess may form at the tip of the root. The root canal is the space within the root of the tooth which contains blood vessels and nerves. These tissues travel from the apex of the tooth (tip of the root) to an enlarged cavity within its body (pulp chamber). This tissue is known as the pulp; it supplies nourishment and sensation to the tooth. It’s interesting to note that the only “type” of sensation the pulp can perceive is pain. Hot, cold or any stimulation – is perceived as pain. Root canal treatment refers to dental treatment involving the nerve space or root canal of the tooth. The procedure involves removing the infected nerve, cleaning out the damaged pulp and filling the canal. It effectively saves the tooth and alleviates the associated pain. The purpose of root canal therapy is not only the elimination of pain and swelling, it also aims at getting rid of bacteria causing the infection from recurring. It accomplishes this by cleaning the necrotic pulp from the canal and sealing the root against bacteria. One of the most common reasons for root canal treatment is an infected or abscessed tooth, which may result from a deep cavity, or a fracture. Occasionally, trauma, such as a sudden blow to the mouth, can result in damage to the pulp of a tooth.   When the pulp in the tooth “dies”, the pulp chamber or root canal becomes necrotic. They multiply and begin to leak out of the root’s apex. In response to the bacterial presence in bone, an abscess will form around the apex. An infection in the root canal of a tooth can cause:   Swelling that may spread to other areas of the face or neck or head. Swelling with pus in the area around the tooth root Bone loss around the tip of the tooth A drain hole (called a sinus tract) between the root of the infected tooth and the skin. The sinus tract can occur through the side of the tooth into the gums or through the cheek to drain on the skin. The infection may damage the underlying permanent tooth.   If the inflamed pulp is not treated, it will become necrotic and die. Eventually, the bone surrounding the root may be destroyed, resulting in increased mobility and possible extraction. Nerve damage can cause severe toothaches. The pain will usually end very quickly when the root canal is cleaned out. Root canal therapy is usually successful. If the root canal therapy is suggested, it’s important to have the root treated as soon as possible. An infection that is allowed to continue will quickly result in the formation of an abscess in the bone surrounding the root.   This will lead to destruction of the underlying bone and may make addition; the infection can spread to adjacent teeth and could affect the permanent tooth.   back to articles   Powered by Beanarchitect Architect   Copyright (C) 2005. All right are reserved