WHAT IS A ROOT CANAL?



A root canal is a treatment, not a diagnosis. Good dentistry, like good medicine, starts with a proper diagnosis of the tooth.


 
In order to confirm a proper diagnosis, we need to establish two facts: the cause and the effect.
Some dentists argue that a diagnosis is academic and a waste of a patient’s time. The result is always the same, they say, a root canal. However, establishing a true diagnosis of tooth pain may avert an unnecessary root canal of an otherwise healthy tooth.

WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS ONCE A ROOT CANAL IS INEVITABLE?

It is important to understand that all teeth problems are unique. No treatment is universal. Individual circumstances may dictate that a specific treatment is not an option. Alternatively, perhaps one option will offer a superior result over another.

Once the dental nerve has been properly diagnosed as dead, we can assume that the dental nerve space inside the tooth (called the root canal system) and the bone surrounding the tooth are now infected. At this point, either the tooth must be extracted or a root canal performed. If a patient is undecided about which procedure to pursue, a dentist can perform a lumpectomy (removal of the nerve) to alleviate pain and buy time for the patient to make his decision.

For More Information Talk with Dr. Philip Memoli or 

Phone: (908) 464-9144 or Click here

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is Root Canal | Local Dental Services - New Jersey , USA

Image
WHAT IS A ROOT CANAL? A root canal-treated (RCT) or root-filled tooth is one in which the dental nerve, commonly called the pulp, is intentionally removed and is filled with an inert material called Gutter perch. Once an RCT is performed, the tooth must be restored with a post and a crown. These will strengthen the tooth and prevent a crack or fracture from developing after treatment. A good analogy is a tree branch. When it is alive, it flexes or bends when pressure is applied. WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS OF ROOT CANALS? The pro of a Root Canal is obvious: the painful or dead tooth is treated and extraction is avoided. However, we must ask two key questions before starting a root canal. Can the tooth be restored? Can a predictable RCT be performed, or are there risks for a poor result? On the other hand, if the patient chooses extraction, the following surgical and tooth replacement options need to be considered: SURGICAL OPTIONS: Tooth Extraction Bone Grafting...
Read more

Root Canal Alternative Treatment - Dr. Philip Memoli in New Jersey

Image
WHAT IS A ROOT CANAL?   A Root canal -treated (RCT) or root-filled tooth is one in which the dental nerve, commonly called the pulp, is intentionally removed and is filled with an inert material called gutter perch.   WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS OF ROOT CANALS? The pro of a Root canal is obvious: the painful or dead tooth is treated and extraction is avoided. But we must ask two key questions before starting a root canal. Can the tooth be restored? Can a predictable RCT be performed, or are there risks for a poor result? Research has found four major causes of root canal failure: Tooth or root fracture Infections including bacteria (primarily streptococcus vocalist, etc), viruses, and fungus (Candida, etc). The body’s reaction to root canal materials, microorganisms, and cements which inadvertently are pushed past the tooth into the bone. Cysts Root canal failure, an issue of systemic proportion, remains a little understood and hotly debated subje...
Read more

How to Safely Remove Mercury Amalgam Silver Fillings

Image
When the element mercury accumulates to a high concentration in the body, it can lead to a variety of acute and chronic medical problems, including organ damage and compromise of major bodily systems. Because of the widespread usage of mercury in dental amalgam materials, many people are susceptible to mercury toxicity and its associated health issues. Dentists and toxicologists are divided over the extent of the danger posed by mercury amalgam fillings. Even those who agree that mercury amalgam is hazardous are further divided over whether the safer protocol is to remove them or to leave them untouched. Paradoxically, improper removal of old fillings can cause greater exposure to mercury. Dentists who focus on safe amalgam removal must receive specialized training in the practice; they also follow government guidelines for containment of mercury vapor during the procedure and disposal of mercury-containing materials afterward. Mercury toxicity is a health problem that r...
Read more