When the root canal of a tooth is infected, root canal treatment can help you to preserve the tooth. A root canal procedure is a process of removing the infected material and tooth pulp, cleaning it out and sealing it to avoid reinfection. Let’s take a closer look at what is a root canal and what you might expect from the procedure.
What Is A Root Canal?
A root canal treatment is a commonly performed procedure that can preserve a diseased or damaged tooth. A root canal procedure will be recommended if the innermost part of your tooth, the dental pulp, becomes infected. Because the structure of your tooth will remain intact even if your tooth is dead inside, a root canal can save your natural tooth.
Preserving your natural teeth is always a priority. While tooth replacements are more advanced than ever, they are still incomparable to a natural tooth. If you have the option of extracting or saving a tooth, saving it should always be considered. The biggest risks of a root canal are
- There is a greater number of canals than anticipated
- Reinfection occurring
- The tooth not being able to withstand the procedure and breaking
Some of the reasons a root canal treatment may be recommended include
- Deep tooth decay
- A crack or chip in your tooth
- A history of dental procedures on the tooth
- Trauma to the mouth that causes damage inside your tooth
Why Is A Root Canal Done?
Ultimately, an infection in the root canal of your tooth can lead to the development of an abscess, which forms as a result of the dying pulp and bacteria. An infected root canal can also cause swelling in your face, head or neck. It may also cause bone loss around our tooth’s roots.
The other benefits of a root canal include
- Biting and chewing with comfort
- The natural appearance of your tooth
- Protecting the other teeth in your mouth from additional strain
What Happens During A Root Canal Procedure?
During a consultation, your dentist will take an x-ray to determine the extent of the damage and the shape of the root canals. The x-ray will also show whether the infection has spread to the bone. Root canal treatment is performed under local anaesthetic so you are awake during the procedure but you can’t feel any pain.
Removing the tooth pulp
Your dentist will drill a hole in the top of the affected tooth. A special tool is used to extract the dental pulp from all the canals in the tooth. Sometimes one session is not enough to clean the pulp out thoroughly enough and you may need to return for a follow-up treatment.
After removing the dental pulp your dentist may apply an antibiotic to kill any remaining bacteria and prevent them from getting reinfected in the future. After cleaning them your dentist will seal the canals up and give you a temporary filling. You may also be prescribed oral antibiotics.
What To Expect After The Root Canal Procedure
Once the anaesthetic has worn off you may experience mild pain and swelling in your gums, which can be managed with over-the-counter medication. You will want to avoid chewing on the affected tooth until it has healed.
You will visit your dentist for a follow-up. He or she will take an x-ray to make sure that the infection has healed. Then you’ll have your permanent filling or dental crown made.
What To Expect After A Root Canal
Root canals have a success rate higher than 95% and many restored teeth have lasted a lifetime after treatment. You can continue to care for the restored tooth by brushing and flossing twice a day and visiting your dentist regularly.
Regular dental checkups can give you an early warning about cracks or chips, or dental decay that can become bigger problems later on. This is especially true of the molars, which you cannot see very well. Your dentist has the skill, knowledge and tools to see your teeth from every angle.
Once your gums have healed and you have recovered from the procedure you should not experience any pain from the restored tooth. Some sensitivity is normal afterwards, but this should improve in the passing days.
If you play sports or grind your teeth at night, a mouthguard is a good idea. Because the tooth has been restored it could be vulnerable to fracture. A mouthguard would offer you protection.
The cost of a root canal is relative to the degree of infection and the amount of work required to keep the tooth and seal it up. Your dentist will give you a cost estimate before he or she begins the treatment.
For more information on what is a root canal, or to book your consultation, please contact us:
(02) 9158 6211.
REFERENCES
What is a Root Canal?
https://www.aae.org/patients/root-canal-st-leonards/-treatment/what-is-a-root-canal/
What is a root canal?
https://www.healthline.com/health/root-canal-st-leonards/#purpose
An Overview of Root Canals
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/root-canal-st-leonards/s
