All About Root canal treatment is a common treatment performed to save a tooth that’s decayed or damaged. Signature Smiles, a one-stop dental solution, ensures that we give all the information so that you are well aware of the treatment.
Let us understand what a root canal is in depth:
All About Root Canal Treatment
A root canal treatment is recommended to repair and save a tooth that is decayed or infected. The root is the base of the teeth, once the bacteria infestation penetrates through cracks in the teeth, a root canal is the only way to save the teeth.
In this treatment, the infected tooth is hollowed by removing all pulp and nerve endings. The tooth then has no sensation, but this does not affect the functioning of the tooth.
The procedure makes the tooth likely to get further infections and prevents it from extraction.
What is Dental Pulp?
The pulp or pulp chamber is the soft area in the centre of the tooth and contains the nerve, blood vessels, and connective tissue. The nerves exist in the base of the tooth.
Nerves are not vital for tooth health and performance after the tooth has developed. Their only function is to provide the sensations of heat or cold. The presence or absence of a nerve does not affect the daily functioning of the tooth.
However, after the root canal, the tooth is less prone and more susceptible to fractures.
When is a Root Canal Treatment Needed?
When bacteria invade and seep through the teeth, it can cause an infection or abscessed tooth. An abscess is a pus-filled pocket that forms at the end of the root. In addition to the abscess, the infection in the teeth can cause swelling that might spread to the face and neck and cause bone loss. A root canal is advised to prevent the same. Reach out for dental guidance if you are going through any of the following symptoms:
- Severe pain while chewing or biting
- Pimples on the gums
- A chipped or cracked tooth
- Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold,
- Swollen gums
- Deep decay
- Darkening of gums Root Canal Treatment Procedure
A root canal may require one or more appointments. The first step within the procedure is to require an X-ray to ascertain the form of the basis canals and determine if there are any signs of infection in the surrounding bone.
Your dentist or endodontist will use local anaesthesia to numb the area near the tooth. To keep the region dry and free of saliva during treatment, your dentist will place a rubber around your tooth.
An access hole is drilled into the tooth and the pulp, bacteria and debris, is removed from the tooth. Once the cleaning-out process is complete, the area is then restored using root canal files and debris is flushed out using water. The tooth then needs to be sealed.
A filling is positioned to fill the exterior access hole created at the beginning of treatment. The final step involves further restoration of the tooth with the help of a crown. However, a crown is expected in cases where the infestation is large.
Is a Root Canal Treatment Painful?
A root canal therapy should relieve the pain you are going through if you have the above symptoms. Until your root canal procedure is complete – that is, the permanent filling is in place and a crown, if needed, is in place – it is wise to minimize chewing on the tooth under repair. This step will help avoid recontaminating the insides of the tooth and prevent a fragile tooth from breaking before the tooth is often fully restored.
For the primary days following the completion of treatment, the tooth may feel sensitive thanks to natural tissue inflammation, especially if there was pain or infection before the procedure. This sensitivity or discomfort usually can be controlled with prescribed medicines. Most patients can return to their normal activities the following day.
Coming to the oral hygiene care; brush and floss as you regularly would, and see your dentist at scheduled intervals.
Root canal treatment is very successful; the procedure has quite a 95% success rate. Teeth fixed with root canal therapy can last a lifetime if there is proper care and follow-up.
Complications of About Root Canal Treatment
Besides the high success rate, there is a slight chance of complications to occur, they are:
- If any infection remains untreated, it might continue and spread into the bone.
- If the root canal is not properly sealed with filling, the infection could return.
If complications occur, a specialist can try to rectify the problem and complete the root canal. To avoid complications, patients should always follow the care instructions. If any antibiotics are needed, it is crucial to complete the entire prescription and essential for a permanent restoration to be positioned, such as a crown, once the root canal therapy is complete.
Recovery from a Root Canal Treatment
Aftercare is critical while recovering from root canal treatment. You should avoid hard foods until your treatment is complete.
After your final treatment, your restored tooth should no longer be painful, although it may feel sensitive for a few days. You should take prescribed medicines and complete all courses.
Return to your dentist if you continue to have pain or swelling after using painkillers.
In most cases, it is possible to prevent the need for further tooth problems by:
Maintaining dental hygiene Avoiding sugar Quitting the use of tobacco products
It’s necessary to avail endodontic or passage treatment when the inside of your tooth (the pulp) becomes inflamed or infected due to deep decay, repeated dental procedures, faulty crowns or a crack, contributing to the tooth damage. Trauma to your tooth can also cause pulp damage even if the tooth has no visible chips or cracks.
About root canal treatment that helps you maintain your natural smile, continue eating the foods you love and limits the need for ongoing dental work. With proper care, most teeth that have had root canal treatment can last a lifetime.
Dentists at Signature Smiles ensure that your treatment is pain-free and you receive a full recovery, provided you follow all the steps instructed by your dentist. Besides, we make sure that we are equipped with the latest technology under one roof so that you can have a comfortable dental treatment and quick recovery. Get in touch with our team of experienced dentists to learn more about the procedure, the treatment and recovery.
Anxious about root canal treatment?
Let us help you out.
6 Common Myths About Root Canal Treatment- Busted!
1. Root canal treatment is painful: This is the most popular myth about root canal treatment. However, it is false! Because a root canal is done to eliminate the pain of a toothache, not to amplify it. Thanks to modern technology, treatment has become painless and quick.
2. Tooth extraction is better than root canal treatment: Tooth extraction is not a good alternative to root canal treatment as it does not save your natural tooth. Root canal treatment allows you to retain your natural tooth for a long time, which is why it should be your first choice.
3. Root canal is only necessary if you feel pain: Just because there’s no pain doesn’t mean your tooth is okay. Your dentist will determine if you need a root canal by looking at your tooth’s pulp. And if it is damaged, you’ll have to go through the treatment anyway.
4.Root canal requires multiple appointments: Another false notion as nowadays, you can get done with root canal therapy in 1-2 meetings.
5. A part or the entire tooth will be removed during the treatment: Root canal treatment takes place to preserve your natural tooth, not to remove it. It gets disinfected, shaped, and filled with an inert material.
6. Once the root canal is done, you don’t have to revisit the dentist: Also untrue, as you have to visit the dentist for follow-ups.
