Mission Viejo dentist answers, "What is a root canal?"

Some dental procedures are very familiar. You probably know from experience what a filling or teeth cleaning appointment entails. Other procedures like porcelain veneers, braces, or dentures are well known because information is abundant. However, we tend to avoid a topic that we perceive as unpleasant, which probably explains why root canal treatment is so misunderstood. People think it's painful, so they avoid it. In fact, it's not a traumatic experience. It is a healthful, comfortable, and effective solution to a serious dental problem.

The anatomy of a tooth
To understand the root canal, it helps to understand the many layers that comprise a tooth:

• The crown of the tooth is the upper portion, the part that is exposed above the gumline.
• The root is the lower portion of the tooth, below the gumline.
• Enamel is the thin, super-hard layer covering the surface of the crown.
• Cementum, a substance softer than enamel, covers the root.
• Dentin is the thick layer of tooth material under the enamel and cementum.
• Dental pulp includes nerves, vascular cells, and other viscous tissue. It is found in the middle of the tooth, encased in dentin.
• The pulp chamber is a hollow area in the middle of the tooth containing pulp.
• The root canals are channels extending through the tooth root, from the pulp chamber to the jawbone that also house dental pulp.

The root canal
As you can see, a root canal is technically part of a tooth. The many layers of hard tooth material surrounding it serve to protect the nerve and other fragile tissues in dental pulp. However, if the pulp becomes infected, the root canal turns into a safe haven for bacteria – it cannot be touched by medication, or dental tools. Similarly, if the pulp is injured by oral trauma, the surrounding tooth prevents access to it.

Once dental pulp is damaged, it does not recover; it needs to be removed. To accomplish this, your dentist must create an opening in the tooth to gain access. Of course, the tooth is numbed before the procedure begins, making it very comfortable. The opening is made in the crown of the tooth, and the pulp is removed from the upper chamber and the lower canals. Once this is accomplished, the tooth is sterilized to kill any lingering bacteria, and then filled and sealed to prevent future infection. The process, known as root canal treatment or endodontic therapy, is very similar to removing diseased hard tissue and placing a filling.

After treatment is complete, your dentist may recommend crowning the tooth, to protect it from fracturing. We use CEREC technology for same day crowns, so you can avoid an extra appointment for this final step. Once your tooth is restored, it will be beautiful, functional, and healthy.

You don't have to fear root canal treatment. Call 949-427-2096 and schedule an appointment with Dr. Alex or Nina Basti, of Mission Viejo, and discover how gentle dentistry can be!