Does Dental Restoration Include Root Canal Treatment?

To complete a dental Restorations procedure for damaged teeth, a dentist may need to perform a root canal treatment. The process involves removing infected pulp tissue from inside the tooth. A tooth can get infected due to severe tooth decay, cracking or chipping. A root canal procedure is a way to save the tooth when the extraction is the only alternative.

Who needs a root canal as part of their dental restoration?

The tooth has three major layers: the first hard layer, known as the enamel; the second and sensitive layer, called the dentin; and the soft inner layer, called the dental pulp. The dental pulp contains nerves, blood vessels and lymph tissues and is an essential part of the tooth. When the dental pulp is exposed to trauma — whether due to bacterial exposure due to severe dental decay or a tooth fracture that reaches the pulp — the tooth starts to die.

To restore the tooth, the dentist will recommend tooth restoration, including cavity filling, bonding or a crown. First, the infection of the tooth pulp must be cleared with root canal therapy to prevent further infection or tooth loss. A root canal treatment involves disinfecting the tooth and removing all the components in the pulp chamber and the associated canals. After cleaning the tooth canals, the dentist can then fill the tooth to prevent pain and reinfection.

The root canal procedure

During the initial meeting with the dentist, patients may get a prescription for antibiotics ahead of the procedure. Before beginning the treatment, the dentist will separate the affected tooth with a rubber dam and apply a local anesthetic to the tooth to minimize pain during the procedure.

The dentist will use a drill to access the pulp chamber and root canals. A flexible pin-like file will be used to carefully clean every part of the root and pulp chamber, and remove any remnants of infection and debris.

Afterward, the dental professional will disinfect and close the tooth. The dentist may fill the chamber with a biocompatible and antibacterial material known as gutta-percha. The dentist may use composite resin to close the tooth. Sometimes, the dentist may use a temporary filling to provide time for healing. While the tooth heals, the patient may get medications to relieve the soreness and pain that may occur due to the procedure.

After the tooth heals satisfactorily and the root canal therapy is considered a success, a permanent dental restorationssuch as a dental filling or crown will be placed on the tooth. The permanent filling can protect the affected tooth from bacterial invasion and provide additional strength. However, in many cases of root canal therapy, placing a dental crown is necessary because the tooth may be more vulnerable to fracture without protection. Crowns also restore the teeth’s natural appearance.

The bottom line

When a tooth is severely decayed or infected, sometimes the only way to save the tooth from removal is to perform a root canal as part of the dental restoration process. Contact our dental office to learn even more about dental restoration and root canals.

Request an appointment here: https://www.casasadobesdentistry.com or call Casas Adobes Dentistry at (520) 365-0559 for an appointment in our Tucson office.