Root canal意思

"Root canal" is a dental procedure that is performed when the pulp inside the tooth, which includes the nerve and blood vessels, becomes inflamed or infected. The pulp can become damaged due to decay, trauma, or over-eruption of a tooth.

During a root canal treatment, the dentist or endodontist (a specialist in root canal treatments) cleans out the infected or inflamed pulp, removes the nerve if necessary, and then fills the space with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha and a sealant to prevent future infection. The procedure is done to save the tooth and prevent the need for extraction.

The root canal procedure typically involves the following steps:

  1. Local anesthesia: The dentist numbs the area around the affected tooth to minimize pain during the procedure.

  2. Access: The dentist drills a hole in the tooth to access the pulp chamber and root canals.

  3. Cleaning and shaping: The dentist cleans the root canals and shapes them to prepare them for filling.

  4. Filling: The root canals are filled with gutta-percha and a sealant to prevent bacteria from entering the tooth again.

  5. Seal: The access hole in the tooth is filled with a permanent filling material.

Root canal treatments are a common and effective way to save a tooth that would otherwise need to be extracted. They are generally painless when performed under local anesthesia, and can help prevent more serious dental problems down the road.