
Root Canal Treatment
Root canal treatment, also known as endodontic treatment, is a dental procedure used to save a tooth that is badly damaged or infected. It involves removing the infected pulp (the soft tissue inside the tooth) and then cleaning and filling the space.
Signs You Might Need a Root Canal
- Severe toothache: This pain may be constant or come and go, and it may worsen when you chew or apply pressure to the tooth.
- Sensitivity to hot or cold: Lingering pain after exposure to hot or cold foods or drinks.
- Swollen or tender gums: The gums around the affected tooth may be swollen, red, or tender to the touch.
- Darkening of the tooth: The tooth may appear darker than the surrounding teeth.
- Pimple on the gums: A small, pimple-like bump may appear on the gums near the affected tooth.
- Deep tooth decay: When decay reaches the pulp, bacteria can enter and cause infection.
- Cracked or chipped tooth: This can allow bacteria to enter the pulp.
- Repeated dental procedures: Multiple fillings or crowns on the same tooth can irritate the pulp.
- Trauma to the tooth: Even if the tooth doesn't appear damaged, a blow to the tooth can injure the pulp.
The Root Canal Procedure
- X-rays: The dentist will take X-rays to assess the extent of the damage and determine the shape of the root canals.
- Anesthesia: Local anesthesia is administered to numb the area around the tooth.
- Access: A small opening is made in the crown of the tooth to access the pulp chamber.
- Pulp removal: The infected or damaged pulp is removed from the tooth.
- Cleaning and shaping: The root canals are cleaned and shaped to prepare them for filling.
- Filling: The root canals are filled with a biocompatible material, usually gutta-percha, to seal them and prevent further infection.
- Sealing: A temporary filling is placed to seal the opening in the tooth.
- Crown: In most cases, a crown is placed over the tooth to restore its strength and function.
Is it Painful?
Thanks to local anesthesia, root canal treatment is generally no more painful than getting a filling. You may experience some soreness or tenderness after the procedure, but this can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication.
Benefits of Root Canal Treatment
- Saves your natural tooth: A root canal allows you to keep your natural tooth, which is always the best option for your oral health.
- Relieves pain: Root canal treatment eliminates the pain caused by an infected tooth.
- Improves oral health: By removing the infection, a root canal can prevent the spread of infection to other teeth and surrounding tissues.
- Restores function: A root canal allows you to chew and bite normally on the affected tooth.
- Improves appearance: A crown placed after a root canal can improve the appearance of the tooth.
After Your Root Canal
- Avoid chewing on hard foods: Until the crown is placed, avoid chewing on hard or sticky foods on the treated tooth.
- Practice good oral hygiene: Brush and floss regularly to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
- See your dentist for follow-up: You will need to see your dentist for follow-up appointments to ensure the tooth is healing properly and to have the permanent crown placed.
If you are experiencing any symptoms that suggest you may need a root canal, it is important to see your dentist as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment can help save your tooth and prevent further complications.
Quick Overview
- •Saves badly damaged or infected teeth
- •Removes infected pulp tissue
- •Generally no more painful than a filling
- •Preserves natural tooth structure
- •Usually completed in 1-2 visits
- •High success rate in saving teeth