Your dentist could 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 save it.
A root canal: what is it?
The process of root canal therapy involves cleaning the interior 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 hollow
- Frequent dental operations that cause this tissue to become disturbed
- A tooth that is shattered or cracked
- Deterioration of the tooth
Damaged pulp decomposes and germs start to grow inside the pulp chamber. Within the tooth, the bacteria and other decaying pulp remains may result in ulcers, discomfort, 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 around the base of your tooth if the injury is left untreated.
Because germs can damage the bone that supports your tooth in place in your jaw, damaged pulp must be removed to get rid of the infection and stop it from spreading, which might 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 have this treatment at my routine check-up?
Your dentist may recommend a dentist who specializes in root canals and other operations that address the pulp and tissues around the tooth, or they may need to make an additional follow-up consultation. We call this professional an endodontist.
What can I anticipate?
It typically takes one or two office visits to complete a root canal procedure. To make the treatment painless for you, your dentist will use local anesthetic. When a tooth is severely damaged and frequently already in pain, root canal therapy is undertaken. You won’t experience any more discomfort during the operation than you would from having a standard cavity filled. You should never experience the agony you did before to the operation again when 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 during the process, shielding it from the germs and fungi that are often found in the mouth.
How will the course of therapy unfold?
Your dentist will first create a hole in the tooth’s visible 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 areas. After that, they clean the root canal and the interior of the tooth. In order to protect the tooth from further infection, your dentist could 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, just like when a cavity is filled. For pain and discomfort, you might ask your dentist for a prescription for medications. 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 have any side effects.
Following the root canal procedure, your dentist will probably arrange a follow-up appointment. To protect your tooth from more damage, your dentist will remove the temporary filling at this appointment and replace it with a crown or permanent filling. To assist ensure that the filling materials remain in position, 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 repaired 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.