Definition

A root canal is a dental procedure to remove dead or dying nerve tissue and bacteria from inside a tooth.

Alternative Names

Endodontic therapy

Description

A dentist will use a needle to place numbing medicine (anesthetic) around the bad tooth. You may feel a slight prick when the needle is being inserted.

Next, your dentist uses a tiny drill to remove the top part of your tooth and expose the pulp. Pulp is made up of nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue. It is found inside the tooth and runs to the jaw bone. Pulp supplies blood to a tooth and allows you to feel sensations such as temperature.

The infected pulp is removed with special tools called files. The canals (tiny pathways inside the tooth) are cleaned. Medicines may be placed into the area to make sure all the germs are gone and prevent further infection.

The cleaned tooth area is sealed with a soft, temporary material. Once the tooth is filled, a permanent crown may be placed on top.

You may be given antibiotics to treat and prevent infection.

Risks

• Abscess
• Loss of tooth
• Nerve damage

tooth canal
dentalplans coupon

	MyDentalWebsite.com
	Enter your ZIP code to view plan details, savings information and participating dentists for all available discount dental plans in your area.
	The most dentists in combined networks ANYWHERE! Join a plan online instantly No claim forms or deductibles
				With the rising costs of dental care, finding ways to save money becomes more and more important. A great way to save money on these procedures is with the use of a discount dental plan. It's fast and easy, and you can save on all of your dental care needs! You have the freedom to choose from many quality discount dental plans. There is sure to be a plan to fit your needs and the needs of your family. There are no sign up fees, no claim forms and no deductibles. Join online instantly and start saving today!

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 1st, 2009 at 12:07 pm and is filed under Dental Plans Coupon Update, Discount Dental Plans Coupon Article, Patient Education. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.