San Antonio dentist, Dentist in San Antonio, TX

Root Canal (Endodontics)

Root Canal, or endodontics, is the process of removing the nerves from the roots of a tooth. A root canal is often necessary to save an infected tooth. If an infected tooth is left alone for a long period of time, an abscess can form. An abscess will show up on an x-ray as a dark spot below the apex of the root. This is actually bone loss in the jaw. It is very important to catch this problem before it deteriorates too far.

The Root Canal Process

The first step of the procedure is to anesthetize the effected area. This is usually done with an intraosseous injection system. The next step is to open an access point through the top, or biting surface of the tooth. Dr. Knight will then determine a working length of each canal using digital x-ray and an electronic apex location device. Each canal is then cleaned and shaped in preparation for the filling material. The entire process is done in the presence of an antibacterial irrigation...ensuring unwanted bacteria do not get sealed inside the canals. Once each canal is prepared, it is filled with an inert, heated material called gutta percha. The canals are then sealed. The tooth is now ready for a restoration, which is usually a crown. Teeth that are treated with a root canal will become brittle over time and crack/decay/discolor. This is the reason a root canal AND the accompanying crown are done at the same appointment. This entire procedure is often completed in two visits. Several x-rays are taken during the process, allowing Dr. Knight to visualize the treatment. This is done for both the insurance companies records AND quality assurance.

Why do I need a root canal?

There are a number of reasons why one of your teeth may need a root canal. These include but are not limited to, a very deep cavity that extends into the nerve, a trauma to the tooth that exposes the nerve, or a crack in the tooth that extends into the nerve of the tooth.

Signs/Symptoms

-Moderate to severe lingering toothache pain when drinking hot or cold liquids or foods.

-Moderate to severe pain when biting on a tooth

-Sensitivity to tapping or pressure on the tooth

-Toothache that wakes you up in the middle of the night

-A pimple on your gum that may release pus or blood

-Radiating pain from one area of the mouth to another

Dr. Knight has encountered teeth that need root canal treatment that have no symptoms at all! This is usually detected during routine exams. Signs can be a non-painful discolored tooth...(usually a front tooth with a history of trauma), and/or a visible abcess, detected during x-ray review. THE IMPORTANCE of ROUTINE EXAMS can not be overstated!!!