Cosmetic Tooth Sculpting For A More Attractive Smile By Dr. Daniel Burton, DDS At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

One of the most dreaded dental ailments is an emergency root canal procedure, because if the root canal is badly infected it can spread bacteria and decay down through the base of a tooth and even into the jaw. But usually – thanks to the wonders of modern dental medicine – even a severe root canal operation is not nearly as bad or stressful as it once was. The reputation for root canal procedures is probably much worse than the actual facts of the process, and these days dentists have high-tech equipment to ensure success while minimizing any pain or unnecessary discomfort. In other words root canals are not as intense as you might think, and once they are cured the recovery time is usually quick.

The root canal is a tiny canal that runs from the tooth down into the gum below the tooth. Because of this little channel the tooth is able to get the blood, minerals, and nutrients that are necessary for maintaining the tooth in optimum healthy condition. As long as the hard boney structure of the tooth – which is made of tough materials like calcium and enamel – remains strong, the tooth protects this interior channel or canal. The tooth guards the root canal from disease or damage, and in return the healthy flowing root canal keeps the tooth supplied with everything it needs to be vital and stay well.

But sometimes that protection breaks down because of a cavity in the tooth. Cavities are created by the presence of harmful bacteria that eat away at the tooth cap, and if the cavity grows deep enough it pierces this outer white layer and then attacks the root canal itself. Soon the bacteria is flowing through the canal and infecting everything in its path, and because root canals go deep into the mouth a serious enough infection can even attack a person’s jawbone. While all this is happening the nerves and tender tissues that are normally hidden beneath the tooth become exposed, and that is why an unhealthy tooth and root canal infection can be terribly painful.

Should you encounter root canal problems, do not waste time in getting them taken care of – otherwise the infection can spread and have far-reaching negative effects. In an emergency the dentist will remove all of the infected parts of the tooth, clean out the entire area of the root and root canal that has been affected, and then replace the pulp of the tooth and other parts that had to be excavated by filling in the area with a synthetic material or a replacement crown or tooth. A permanent filling or tooth will be affixed to replace the old diseased one, and after a short period of time your mouth and teeth will be as good as new.

To avoid root canal problems in the first place is best, of course. But it’s not difficult to do if you simply brush and floss according to a dentist’s recommendations and schedule regular visits to the dentist for check-ups and routine cleaning. Your dentist will be vigilant and make sure that no cavities progress to the stage where they can descend down into the root of the tooth. Before things get that bad the dentist will fill the cavity, replace the bad tooth, or do whatever is necessary to ensure that your dental health is safeguarded.

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