Root canal
Root Canal
A root canal (/ruːt kəˈnæl/) is a dental procedure that involves the removal of the pulp from the central part of a tooth, disinfection of the area, and filling and sealing of the resultant space.
Etymology
The term "root canal" comes from the fact that the procedure is done in the canals located in the root of a tooth. The word "root" is derived from the Old English "rōt", and "canal" comes from the Latin "canalis", meaning "channel".
Procedure
The root canal procedure is typically performed by a dentist or endodontist. It involves several steps:
- Anesthesia: The dentist administers local anesthesia to numb the tooth and surrounding area.
- Pulpectomy: An opening is made in the tooth, and the diseased tooth pulp is removed.
- Disinfection: The area is then disinfected to remove any remaining bacteria.
- Filling: The empty root canal is filled with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha.
- Sealing: The opening of the tooth is sealed with cement to prevent contamination.
Related Terms
- Endodontics: The branch of dentistry that deals with diseases of the tooth's pulp and its surrounding tissues.
- Pulpitis: Inflammation of the dental pulp, often a reason for a root canal.
- Apicoectomy: A root-end resection. Sometimes necessary if a conventional root canal therapy has failed and a re-treatment was already unsuccessful or is not advised.
- Abscess: A pocket of pus that's caused by a bacterial infection, often the reason for needing a root canal.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Root canal
- Wikipedia's article - Root canal
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