The phrase “root canal treatment” might frighten a lot of people, but with modern medicine, the purpose of this kind of dental care is to heal the patient from any tooth discomfort. With the development of dentistry and anesthesia, root canal treatment has become extremely easy and efficient, allowing us to save our natural teeth.
Understanding the steps of a root canal will help you cope with your fear and understand how root canal treatment works. Let’s have a look at all these steps together.
What Is a Root Canal Treatment?
Root Canal Treatment, alternatively referred to as endodontic treatment, is a dental process that involves the removal of diseased or injured tissues found within the tooth itself.
Each tooth contains a soft inner tissue, called the pulp, consisting of blood vessels and nerves. Once this pulp gets infected through decay, injury, and fractures, among other factors, root canal treatment will be required.
Signs You May Need a Root Canal
Common symptoms include:
- Persistent pain in the tooth
- Tenderness to hot or cold food and beverages
- Swelling of the gums around the affected tooth
- Discoloration of the tooth
- Pain when chewing
- Recurrent abscess in the tooth
It may be noted that not all tooth infections produce any symptoms at all.
Step 1: Examination and Diagnosis
At first, your dentist will check the condition of the tooth and take digital X-rays to check how bad the infection is in order to decide on further actions. Then, he/she will give you a detailed explanation of the process of the treatment.
Step 2: Local Anaesthetic
A local anaesthetic will be used before performing the procedure to numb the area around the tooth. You should not feel anything during this process.
The feeling of root canal therapy is much the same as a simple filling.
Step 3: Accessing the Tooth
After numbing the tooth, the dentist then makes an opening into the crown of the tooth so that he/she can gain access to the infected pulp chamber and the root canals.
Special dental tools are required to access the internal parts of the tooth.
Step 4: Removing the Infection
Infected or affected pulp tissue is removed from the tooth. Root canals are thoroughly cleaned, disinfected, and shaped to remove bacteria and stop infections in the future.
This is very important.
Step 5: Filling the Root Canals
After the canals have been thoroughly cleaned, they are filled with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha.
This seals the canals and helps protect the tooth from reinfection.
Step 6: Restoring the Tooth
After root canal treatment, the tooth needs to be rebuilt. According to how much of the tooth remains, your dentist will recommend:
– Dental Filling
– Onlay
– Dental Crown
Dental Crowns are widely recommended for back teeth because they add strength to the tooth.
Does Root Canal Treatment Hurt?
One of the biggest myths about root canal therapy is that it hurts.
However, the whole idea of the procedure is to treat any discomfort resulting from infections by getting rid of its cause. There is very little, if any, pain experienced during the procedure due to advanced anesthetics.
Some mild discomfort is expected afterward and usually fades away within several days.
How Long Does Root Canal Treatment Take?
Treatment duration depends on the type of tooth under treatment.
Usually,
- Simple procedures can be done during one visit.
- More complicated treatment may take two visits to complete.
- It is upon the dentist to decide what suits you.
What Happens If You Delay Treatment?
Neglecting an infected tooth can result in the following complications:
- Pain
- Abscess formation
- Bone loss surrounding the affected tooth
- Infection spread
- Extraction of the tooth
Early intervention greatly enhances the possibility of salvaging the natural tooth.
Benefits of Root Canal Treatment
- Relieves dental pain
- Saves your natural tooth
- Restores normal chewing function
- Prevents infection from spreading
- Maintains your natural smile
Final Thoughts
A root canal is a completely safe and efficient way to save an infected tooth, as well as remove any pain from it. If you suffer from signs of infection or you have been recommended to receive root canal treatment, then visiting a dentist will be beneficial for your health.
