|  | Dental Health | Dental Procedures

Root Canal Obturation Techniques

A root canal is a procedure in which injured, dying, or dead teeth can be kept in the mouth, instead of the alternative; extraction. A root canal can be performed by both general dentists and endodontists. Endodontists specialize in root disease, dental pulp, and tissue; and generally perform the most severe root canal procedures. Costs for root canals usually range from $300 to $1,000. The cost differs depending on the tooth that is receiving the root canal and the dentist or endodontist performing the procedure.

  1. Preparation

    • A root canal can take anywhere from one to three visits to the dentist office. The initial visit first consists of an X-ray to assess the damage. Local anesthesia may or may not be needed depending on whether or not infection is present. To prepare the tooth, the area is first kept dry and saliva-free with a dental dam. An access hole is then drilled in the crown, or the top layer of the tooth. The pulp and damaged nerve is completely removed from the tooth. Root canal files, increasing in size, are then used to clean the inside of the tooth.

    Filling

    • After preparation is complete, the inside hole has to be sealed. Some dentists will wait up to a week to seal the tooth. This may be the decision if there is an infection present, and medication is usually given to speed the healing process. If the tooth is not sealed immediately, a temporary filling is necessary. It is placed in the exterior hole of the tooth to prevent debris from getting inside. After the tooth is sealed the inside of the tooth must be filled. The inside of the tooth is filled with a rubber substance called gutta percha.

      The access hole still remains on the crown of the tooth, and must be filled with either an amalgam or composite filling. The location and size of the filling dictates which filling material is used. Further work may be necessary due to the original weakness of the tooth. A crown is usually placed on top of tooth to help this problem. The type of crown depends on the size of the remaining tooth, and tooth location. If a patient receives a root canal from an endodontist they are referred back to their general dentist if a crown is needed.

Dental Procedures - Related Articles