Do you need root canal therapy? Has the dentist suggested it? Do you want to ensure you have all the details before having a root canal?
Everything you would need to know about root canal therapy is covered in the article, including the procedure, symptoms, and how it can save your smile and cure your tooth discomfort. Discover each section by sticking with us.
What exactly is a root canal?
Human teeth consist of three distinct layers: the hard outer enamel, the more porous middle dentin, and the pliable inner core that goes all the way down to the jawbone. The dental pulp, which is made up of connective tissue, blood vessels, nerves, fibroblasts, and odontoblasts, is in this central part.
The pulp becomes inflamed or diseased when the decay reaches the softcore, and occasionally, the pulp might also pass away. A root canal is then required to save the tooth and remove the decay after this is repaired.
A root canal is a procedure to clear bacteria from a tooth’s infected root canal and stop the infection from spreading. The tooth’s interior is meticulously cleansed and disinfected once the infectious pulp has been removed, and a filling is then put in to close the gap. This procedure keeps the native tooth.
How can you tell if you need a root canal? How could you tell whether the pulp is contaminated? First, let’s learn more about the signs suggesting a root canal may be necessary.
Signs that signal you need a root canal treatment
The assured way to discover if you need a root canal procedure is to visit your dentist. So, keep an eye on these warning signals because the earlier you identify, the earlier your tooth can be treated and preserved.
The following are the symptoms:
- Constant toothache
- Sensitivity to hot and cold food
- Tooth discoloration
- Swollen gums
- Pain when you touch the tooth
- A chipped or broken tooth
- Tooth feels loose
- Pimples on the gums
- Extreme pain during chewing or biting
Your dentist will inspect the tooth and take X-rays to confirm the diagnosis.
How is root canal therapy performed?
Endodontic treatment is another name for root canal therapy. It is a common method of saving a tooth that is badly broken or infected. An endodontist will clean and disinfect the root canal before filling it with a biocompatible material to seal out any remaining bacteria and preserve the tooth’s health.
Here is a step-by-step guide to how root canal therapy is performed:
Step 1: Evaluation and Diagnosis
The tooth needs to be examined by the dentist to see if it is a candidate for root canal therapy before the procedure can begin. The tooth will first be X-rayed to determine how badly it is decayed or infected. Then, they will do a full body check for swelling, sensitivity, and other symptoms.
Step 2: Anesthesia
When a root canal is necessary, the dentist will implement anesthesia to numb the tooth and its surrounding gums. By doing so, we can make sure the patient is at ease during the entire procedure.
Step 3: Access to the Pulp
With the tooth numbed, the dentist will make a hole in the tooth’s crown to reach the pulp. Small drills are commonly used for this purpose. After opening the pulp chamber, the dentist will use specialized tools to remove the diseased or damaged pulp from the tooth.
Step 4: Cleaning and Disinfecting
Once the pulp is removed, the dentist will use special instruments to clean and disinfect the root canal. This is a crucial step in the process, as it removes all bacteria and other harmful organisms from the tooth.
Step 5: Filling the Canal
After the root canal has been cleaned and disinfected, the dentist will fill the canal with a special material to prevent further infection. This material is typically a rubber-like substance called gutta-percha, which is placed in the canal using a special adhesive.
Step 6: Restoration
Once the root canal therapy is complete, the dentist will fill the access hole in the top of the tooth with a filling material. In most cases, the tooth will also need to be restored with a crown or other type of restoration to ensure its strength and longevity.
EXTRACTION VS. ROOT CANAL: THE BENEFITS OF THE FORMER
What should you consider when deciding between a root canal and an extraction?
It’s normally desirable to keep the native tooth wherever possible. Root canals have a very high success rate (about 95 percent) and are completely risk-free for the patient. Justifications for getting a root canal are as follows:
AVOID OTHER HEALTH ISSUES
The removal of a natural tooth can lead to several undesirable outcomes. First, the surrounding healthy teeth will shift to fill up the space left by the missing tooth. This can lead to crooked teeth, jaw pain, and difficulty biting and chewing.
SAVE MONEY
Utilizing a dental repair to fill in the space created by a missing tooth is important. Dental implants and dental bridges are the two most common ways to replace missing teeth. Dental bridges require modification of the teeth on either side of the gap that is in good health. These teeth will receive crowns to secure the bridge, and a prosthetic tooth linked to the framework will bridge the space.
Dental implants are posts that are surgically placed into the jawbone to serve as replacement tooth roots. Implants are more expensive than natural teeth but don’t need to be adjusted.
In either case, you will have to pay for repairs that are much more expensive than the root canal itself.
Final Thought
Finally, it is important to note that root canal therapy is an extremely efficient method for fixing broken or infected teeth. Although it may sound scary, the procedure is usually well tolerated and only requires two trips to the dentist. Root canal therapy may be an option if you are experiencing dental pain or other symptoms and want to avoid extraction.
At Virginia Dental Care, we utilize cutting-edge tools and the latest methods to restore your stunning smile. Call us today to resolve all your dental issues.