Living With Healthy Hunger Health Blog
Root canal therapy is an efficient technique to remove the infected pulp permanently. There is no question that it will keep you free of all teeth-filling issues for many years. It is usually recommended if you have specific symptoms that indicate you require root canal treatment; however, it is not always possible or recommended for everyone due to the prerequisites and high cost.
Various types of root canals require different prerequisites and some potential root canal side effects. Undoubtedly, there are several root canal alternatives that everyone should be aware of. Talk to an expert today to learn more about root canal treatment in Richmond and the alternatives.
Alternatives to root canal
There are several alternatives to root canal therapy.
- Direct pulp capping
Direct pulp capping is a dental operation capable of helping treat severe pulp damage or decay. A dentist may propose it to avoid future root canals or tooth extractions.
A substance is applied directly over the exposed pulp during this operation. Calcium hydroxide and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) are two examples of substances used for direct pulp capping. The use of this substance results in the formation of a mineral barrier that can both protect the exposed pulp and stimulate tissue restoration. The tooth is then filled once the pulp capping material has been placed.
However, there are some caveats to this. Direct pulp capping is recommended only when the exposure is small and the exposed pulp appears healthy, with no symptoms of irritation or deterioration. Moreover, it is often more successful in younger people.
- Pulpotomy
A pulpotomy is a procedure used to remove the pulp. It can be done in cases similar to direct pulp capping when the pulp has been exposed because of tooth decay or damage. It is crucial to understand that a pulpotomy is not the same as pulp removal in a root canal (pulpectomy). This is because, unlike a root canal, the root canals and tooth nerve are intact with a pulpotomy.
The inflamed pulp is removed during a pulpotomy. The inside of the tooth is then filled with a substance that promotes healing and inhibits bacterial growth. Formocresol, calcium hydroxide, and MTA are examples of such materials. The inside of the tooth is then filled. A crown is often placed to help repair and protect the tooth.
In general, pulpotomies are performed on children who still have baby teeth or undeveloped adult teeth where the root has not fully matured. They are normally exclusively used in adults as emergency surgery to ease discomfort until a root canal can be performed.
