Endodontics

A root canal treatment, also known as endodontics, is a dental procedure used to treat infection at the center of a tooth. The infection is caused by bacteria that live in the mouth and invade the tooth. It may also occur due to:

• Damage to teeth as a result of trauma, such as a fall
• Leaky fillings
• Tooth decay

Visit Rasmussen Dental in Minocqua or Mercer for complete dental care.

The crown is the part of your tooth that is visible in the mouth. The root extends into the jawbone, anchoring the tooth in position. Your teeth also consists the following parts:

• Cementum – a hard material that coats the root’s surface
• Dental pulp – the soft tissue at the center of the tooth
• Dentin – a softer material that supports the enamel and forms most of the tooth.
• Enamel – the hard outer coating of the tooth

The root canal system contains the dental pulp and extends from the crown of the tooth to the end of the root. A single tooth can have more than one root canal within it.

The pulp of the tooth is made up of soft tissue that includes nerves and blood vessels. If it's infected by bacteria, the pulp will begin to die and the bacteria can multiply and spread.

The bacteria and the substances they release will eventually pass out the end of the root canal. This process will continue because there’s nothing to stop more bacteria passing down the root canal. This causes the tissues around the end of the tooth to become red and swollen. Your tooth can become painful and in extreme cases, your face may become swollen (known as a dental abscess).

There are two procedures to treat an infection in the root canal: either removing the tooth (extraction) or attempting to save it by removing the bacteria from the root canal system (root canal treatment).

After the bacteria has been removed, the root canal will be filled and the tooth is sealed with a filling or crown. The inflamed tissue at the end of the tooth will usually heal naturally. Before having a root canal treatment, you will usually be given a local anesthetic, so the process isn't painful and should be no more unpleasant than having a filling.

Care After the Procedure

Taking care of your teeth after the procedure is an essential part of the treatment.

• Avoid biting on hard foods until all of your treatment is complete
• Maintain good oral hygiene
• Avoid sugary food
• Avoid smoking

Rasmussen Dental is conveniently open at two locations. Contact the respective clinics to schedule an appointment.