Root Canal Solutions in Boise
Root canals (also known as endodontic treatment) are used to treat infections that occur in the center of a tooth which is referred to as the root canal system. 
Bacteria that live in the mouth can invade the pulp or center hollow of a tooth when there is:
- Tooth decay
- Fillings leak
- Teeth are damaged by a fall or other dental procedures
- Severe toothache may occur
A tooth is composed of two parts:
The crown of the tooth which is the part of the tooth you can see in the mouth and the root system which extends down into the bone of the jaw and anchors the tooth into position in the mouth.
These two parts are composed of sub structures that include:
- Enamel (the hard outer shell that coats the tooth)
- Dentine, a softer material that supports the enamel and forms the bulk of the tooth
- Cementum is a hard material that covers the surface of the roots
- Dental pulp is the soft tissue at the center of the tooth
The root canal system contains the dental pulp and extends from the tooth crown all the way down to the end of the root. A single tooth can have more than one root canal.
Why Do Tooth Infections Cause Toothaches?
The pulp of the tooth is composed of soft tissue. The soft tissue includes nerves and blood vessels. When bacteria get into the root canal system it can infect the pulp and the pulp will start to die. When that happens the bacteria multiply. Eventually, the bacteria and the waste they release will pass out of the end of the root canal through the small hole where the blood vessels and nerves enter the tooth. This in turn causes the tissue around the end of the tooth to swell and become red. When this happens your tooth becomes very painful and in some cases, your face may also begin to swell up.
How Does Endodontic Treatment Work?
Endodontic therapy involves a sequence of treatments to get rid of the infection affecting your tooth pulp, removing the bacteria from the root canal system. This process involves cleaning, shaping, and decontaminating the hollow areas inside your tooth with tiny files and irrigating solutions.
After the hollows are thoroughly cleaned they are filled with an inert material and then the tooth is sealed with a filling or a crown. The inflamed tissue at the end of the tooth normally heals without further treatment. The end result is a happy patient who longer has to deal with tooth pain.
Toothache? Contact the Endodontics Experts at Blaisdell Family Dentistry in Boise!
Our dentists are experts in root canal therapy who make the process completely comfortable for patients. If you’re experiencing tooth pain or swelling in your face please contact us now. We provide fast and effective treatment from patients from throughout the Boise, Eagle, and Meridian, ID area!
