Dr. Chad Burgess is a dentist and has answered some common questions that Bizymoms visitors have about Root Canal Treatment.
Q. What is root canal treatment?
A. To understand root canal treatment, it helps to know something about the anatomy of the tooth. Inside the tooth, under the white enamel and a hard layer called the dentin, is a soft tissue called the pulp. The pulp contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue and creates the surrounding hard tissues of the tooth during development.
The pulp extends from the crown of the tooth to the tip of the roots where it connects to the tissues surrounding the root. The pulp is important during a tooth’s growth and development. However, once a tooth is fully mature it can survive without the pulp, because the tooth continues to be nourished by the tissues surrounding it.
Q. What does treatment involve?
A. The root canal treatment removes the inflamed or infected pulp, carefully cleans and shapes the inside of the canal, a channel inside the root, then fills and seals the space. Afterwards, you will return to your dentist, who will place a crown or other restoration on the tooth to protect and restore it to full function. After restoration, the tooth continues to function like any other tooth.
Q. What are the signs of needing endodontic treatment?
A. Pain that lingers or throbs (usually to temperature), swelling and/or pimples on the gum – sometimes there are no symptoms (just like heart disease or cancer)
Q. Are pain pills and antibiotics an acceptable substitute for root canal?
A. Pain pills and antibiotics do not cure the source of the problem – specifically bacteria inside the pulp space – they only act as a band-aid. Once you are off them the symptoms usually get much worse and patient’s can be harder to get numb. It is very important to address these issues when they 1st start hurting as a result.
Q. Are there alternative treatments for root canal?
A. The only alternative is tooth extraction. There is nothing is good as the original – saving a tooth is always the best choice.
Q. How much will the procedure cost?
A. Fees vary on the type of service provided – these fees are usually much less than extracting a tooth and replacing the space with a partial denture, implant or bridge.
Q. Will the tooth need any special care or additional treatment?
A. Within one month after a root canal a permanent filling or crown needs to be placed so as to prevent recontamination of the pulp spaces.
Q. How can we contact Dr. Burgess if we have further questions?
A. Phone: 760-439-1871
web: www.northsandiegoendodontics.com
Address: 3601 Vista Way, Suite 202 Oceanside CA 92056
