Root canals

The 5th meeting we talked about root canal treatment :

What is a Root Canal?

Root canal treatment is the removal of the tooth's pulp, a small, thread-like tissue in the center of the tooth.
Once the damaged, diseased or dead pulp is removed, the remaining space is cleaned, shaped and filled.
This procedure seals off the root canal. Years ago, teeth with diseased or injured pulps were removed.
Today, root canal treatment saves many teeth that would otherwise be lost.
The most common causes of pulp damage or death are:

A cracked tooth

A deep cavity

An injury to a tooth, such as a severe knock to the tooth, either recent or in the past

Once the pulp is infected or dead, if left untreated, pus can build up at the root tip in the jawbone, forming
an abscess. An abscess can destroy the bone surrounding the tooth and cause pain
How is a Root Canal Done?
Root canal treatment consists of several steps that take place over several office visits, depending on the
situation. These steps are:

First, an opening is made through the back of a front tooth or the crown of a molar or pre-molar.

After the diseased pulp is removed (a pulpectomy), the pulp chamber and root canals are cleaned,
enlarged and shaped in preparation for being filled.

If more than one visit is needed, a temporary filling is placed in the crown opening to protect the
tooth between dental visits.

The temporary filling is removed and the pulp chamber and root canal permanently filled. A
tapered, rubbery material called gutta-percha is inserted into each of the canals and is often
sealed into place with cement. Sometimes a metal or plastic rod is placed in the canal for
structural support.

In the final step, a crown is usually placed over the tooth to restore its natural shape and
appearance. If the tooth is very broken down, a post may be required to build it up prior to
placing a crown.
How Long Will the Restored Tooth Last?
Your treated and restored tooth/teeth can last a lifetime with proper care. Because tooth decay can still
occur in treated teeth, good oral hygiene and regular dental exams are necessary to prevent further
problems.
As there is no longer a pulp keeping the tooth alive, root-treated teeth can become brittle and are more
prone to fracture. This is an important consideration when deciding whether to crown or fill a tooth after root
canal treatment.
To determine the success or failure of root canal treatment, the most relied-upon method is to compare new
X-rays with those taken prior to treatment. This comparison will show whether bone continues to be lost or
is being regenerated.

For the language structure we talked about passive voice :

FUNCTIONS OF THE PASSIVE VOICE
The passive voice is used to show interest in the person or object that experiences an action rather than
the person or object that performs the action. In other words, the most important thing or person becomes
the subject of the sentence.

EXAMPLES
The passive voice is used frequently. (= we are interested in the passive voice, not in who uses it.)

The house was built in 1654. (= we are interested in the house, not in who built it.)

The road is being repaired. (= we are interested in the road, not in the people who are doing the
repairs.)

Sometimes we use the passive voice because we don't know or do not want to express who performed the
action.

EXAMPLES
I noticed that a window had been leftopen.

Every year thousands of people are killed on our roads.

All the cookies have been eaten.

My car has been stolen!

The passive voice is often used in formal texts. Switching to the active voice will make your writing clearer
and easier to read.