Your dentist might recommend a root canal if you have a seriously damaged tooth or an actual tooth infection (abscess). Instead of extracting your tooth, a root canal can repair and preserve it.
A root canal: what is it?
The process of root canal therapy involves cleaning the inside of the tooth, filling and sealing the cavity, and removing the pulp, or the nerve tissue on the inside canal of the tooth.
Why is it necessary to remove the pulp, and what is it?
Your tooth’s pulp is the soft tissue that houses the veins and nerves that supply blood to the tooth’s living structure.
Damage to pulp can occur because of:
- There is a deep cavity
- Frequent dental operations that cause this tissue to become disturbed
- A tooth that is fractured or cracked
- Deterioration of the tooth
Damaged pulp decomposes and bacteria start to grow inside the pulp chamber. Within the tooth, the bacteria and other decaying pulp remnants may result in ulcers, pain, swelling, and infection. An abscess, or pus-filled pocket that develops at the end of a tooth’s root, can be formed by the tissues surrounding the base of your tooth if the damage is left untreated.
Because bacteria can damage the bone that holds your tooth in place in your jaw, damaged pulp must be removed to get rid of the infection and stop it from spreading, which could result in the complete loss of your tooth. Therefore, in order to prevent infection and other more severe outcomes, damaged pulp must be removed.
Is it possible for me to receive this treatment at my routine check-up?
Your dentist may recommend a dentist who specializes in root canals and other procedures that address the pulp and tissues surrounding the teeth, or they may need to make an additional follow-up appointment. We call this specialist an endodontist.
What can I anticipate?
It typically takes one or two office visits to complete a root canal treatment. To make the procedure painless for you, your dentist will use local anesthesia. When a tooth is severely damaged and frequently already in pain, root canal therapy is used. You won’t experience any more discomfort during the procedure than you would from having a standard cavity filled. You should never experience the agony you did prior to the procedure again after it is complete.
What will take place prior to the start of treatment?
To obtain a clear view of your tooth and surrounding bone, your dentist will take X-rays. In order to make you comfortable throughout the procedure, he or she will next numb the area surrounding your tooth. Lastly, they will cover your tooth with a thin layer of latex rubber to keep it clean and dry throughout the process, shielding it from the bacteria and fungus that are typically found in the mouth.
How will the course of treatment unfold?
Your dentist will first create an opening in the tooth’s exposed surface. Next, they will perform a root canal, which involves extracting the pulp, or the tooth’s nerve, from inside the tooth and in the root regions. After that, they clean the root canal and the inside of the tooth. In order to protect the tooth from further infection, your dentist might apply a medication that kills germs and fill the root canal with a substance that resembles rubber. In order to preserve the tooth until a final restoration, such as a permanent filling or crown, can be positioned as soon as possible, your dentist will lastly apply a temporary filling.
After receiving a root canal, what will happen?
For a few days, your tooth and the surrounding tissue may feel sensitive, much like when a cavity is filled. For pain and discomfort, you can ask your dentist for a prescription for painkillers. Antibiotics may be suggested by your dentist to reduce the chance of an infection spreading. If so, use it as prescribed and consult your dentist if you experience any side effects.
Following the root canal procedure, your dentist will probably arrange a follow-up appointment. To protect your tooth from additional damage, your dentist will remove the temporary filling during this appointment and replace it with a crown or permanent filling. To help ensure that the filling materials remain in place, a metal or plastic post may also be inserted into the root canal. If you require a crown, this aids in its support.
What is the average lifespan of a root canal filling?
Your restored tooth can last a lifetime if you take good care of it. Root canal therapy has a high success rate. To ensure your teeth are strong and healthy, make it a point to brush twice a day for two minutes each time using fluoride toothpaste, floss once a day, and visit your dentist on a regular basis.