What is root canal treatment?

Root canal treatment is a procedure performed by a root canal dentist or an endodontist on a patient when the blood and nerve supply of the tooth, known as the pulp, is infected due to decay or injury.

There are many causes of pulp infection or inflammation. This includes severe tooth decay, a crack or chip in the tooth, repeated dental procedures on the tooth, or a tooth injury that can damage the pulp even without chips or cracks to the tooth.

Acid is secreted when plaque is on your teeth. This acid eventually creates a hole in the enamel. This is the start of tooth decay. If the plaque is left in place, then the tooth would continue to be attacked and the interior portion, the dental pulp, can become infected. This leads to pain and swelling.

The tooth root canal aims to remove all the pulp from the infected tooth root system. This is to prevent the infection from spreading through the root canal system of the tooth which can lead to an abscess.

Tooth abscess causes swelling inside the teeth because of the presence of pus. When you have a tooth abscess, you will usually experience a toothache or severe pain. If root canal treatment is not done immediately, then the infection can spread and your tooth may need to be removed.

When and why do you need root canal treatment?

Some many signs and symptoms will tell you that you need a root canal treatment. Some of these symptoms include severe pain when chewing or biting, swollen or tender gums, pimples on the gums, sensitivity to hot and cold, darkening of the gums due to deep decay, a chipped or cracked tooth, and more.

You also need root canal treatment to save your natural tooth. With root canal treatment, your natural smile can be maintained, you can continue eating the foods that you love, and you won't need to keep on going back to the dental office for dental work. With root canal treatment, your teeth can last for a lifetime.

What are the steps in root canal treatment?

Root canal treatment can be usually done in one appointment, sometimes two appointments. In these appointments, the following procedures are done.

The dentist will first take x-rays of your teeth to examine it. Then local anesthesia will be administered. When your tooth is numb, your tooth will be isolated with the use of a protective sheet. This will help keep your tooth clean and free of saliva.

If there is no opening on the crown, your dentist will make a small opening. This is not necessary if the tooth has suffered much decay. The pulp chamber will then be cleaned. All the pulp will be removed using very small instruments. The root canal will soon be cleaned, shaped and measured so that a filling can be poured in. The dentist will then fill the root canal with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha after it has been cleaned and shaped. To seal the root canal an adhesive cement is placed over the gutta-percha. Sometimes a temporary filling is placed so that the opening will be closed. This filling is then removed by the dentist before the restoration of the tooth.

Your second dental appointment is for tooth restoration. To protect the tooth and restore it to full function, a crown is placed on your tooth. If restoration is not possible due to the lack of sufficient structure to hold it in place, then a post can be placed inside your tooth for stability.

When the infected nerve tissue is removed from the tooth, any pain you feel is soon alleviated. Then the root canal is cleaned, disinfected, shaped and measured and filled so that future infection is prevented.

Does root canal treatment hurt?

Normal root canal procedure does not hurt since anesthesia is administered before the procedure is started. However, there are cases when numbing the teeth and gums can be difficult. This is due to a tooth that is severely infected. When this is the case, you need to take antibiotics first until the tooth is completely settled. Then anesthesia can help numb the tooth for the treatment.

With root canal treatment, toothaches caused by pulp infection or inflammation is greatly relieved. The procedure is very comfortable for most patients since dentists use modern techniques and anesthetics.

Does root canal treatment work?

In the majority of the cases, root canal treatment works. A person who has undergone root canal treatment will no longer have problems with it. Sometimes root canal treatment can fail but it does not often happen. After treatment, your tooth may feel sensitive. But this can easily be relieved through medication. You should follow whatever your dentist instructs you.

You may also feel that there is something different about your teeth. You shouldn't feel any more pain but if you do, and it lasts more than a few days, then you need to call your dentist.

Until your tooth is fully restored by your dentist, you should refrain from chewing or biting on the treated tooth. If the tooth is yet unrestored, then it is susceptible to fracture. This is why full restoration is needed as soon as possible. Otherwise, the only thing you can do is brushing and flossing and cleaning during your regular check-up.

Sometimes after the root has been filled, the tooth changes color. When this happens, you can have the tooth crowned so that its color can be restored. It can also help restore the tooth’s strength. When the crown has been placed, the tooth is then protected and full functionality is restored. When your tooth is restored, then it can continue to function like a normal tooth. Teeth that have undergone root canal will last as long as other natural teeth.

You can eat soft foods or anything that does not require much chewing after a root canal. Hard foods or hot foods should be avoided since they can hurt your teeth. Don't try to eat anything when your mouth is still numb from the procedure. You might be able to bite your tongue or cheek. Wait for a few hours until the time your mouth no longer feels numb.

What are the benefits of root canal treatment?

With AZ Specialty Dental, you have a procedure that is virtually free of pain. With anesthesia, the whole procedure is painless. You will have less discomfort compared to what you will feel if you had your tooth extracted. Patients who have undergone root canal procedures experience a painless procedure, thanks to modern techniques and effective anesthesia.

A tooth root canal is also a very efficient and cost-effective procedure. Tooth extraction can cost higher since you will need either a denture or an implant to replace the missing tooth. And it takes longer than having a root canal procedure. Besides, root canal treatment is also covered by most dental insurance plans. With root canal treatment, the result is visually appealing. When your teeth are restored with crowns, you will have teeth that are natural-looking and functions like natural teeth. This can help improve your smile and boost your confidence.

Are root canals a dental emergency?

Sometimes infections in the root canal are not painful. But you would consider it a dental emergency if it is painful. 400,000 hospital emergency visits each year are due to root canal related pain. It is considered a dental emergency because you are in a stage when your infected tooth is dying and treatment should not be delayed. If it is, then your teeth can die. And if it does, then your dentist would need to extract it so that further infection could be prevented.

If you don't act upon it, then it will give you more pain. You should seek an emergency dentist to take care of your root canal problem.

How can you avoid getting a root canal?

Root canal treatment can be prevented if you don't miss your regular dental check-ups. The reason for this is that during regular check=ups, the dentist can diagnose the problem in its early stages. And a more conservative solution can be recommended. Your dentist can take care of the problem of tooth decay and infection right away so it does not get worse.

You can save time and money in the long run if you are proactive with your oral health. Don't wait until you feel the pain to visit your dentist. Otherwise, you will feel more pain and it will cost you more to treat. If during your appointment, your dentist recommends for you to have root canal treatment, then don't wait until the problem gets worse and you are in much pain. Now is the time to take care of it.