Although root canal treatment is dreaded by many, it is a necessary treatment if you have severe decay, inflammation or infection. The primary goal of root canal therapy is to remove the infected pulp and stop the spread of the infection. Without proper treatment, an abscess may develop which affects the surrounding teeth too.
1. What Is a Root Canal Treatment?
A root canal treatment is a restorative procedure done to protect the tooth from extraction. The human tooth has enamel and dentine which houses a pulp cavity and soft tissues. The pulp cavity has connective tissues that are important during teeth development. But, once the teeth mature, they rely less on the pulp for nourishment to get nourishment. The pulp may sound insignificant, but once it’s infected, it can cause pain as well as lead to tooth loss.
A variety of factors can cause pulp infection and inflammation, but dental decay is the chief cause. Poor dental hygiene causes plaque and bacteria to fester in your gum triggering an inflammation.
Other causes of pulp inflammation include repeated dental procedures, diseases, trauma, and large dental filling.
2. What Are the Symptoms of an Infected Pulp?
Pulp inflammation symptoms may include tender and bleeding gums, tooth sensitivity, severe pain when chewing, and pimples in the gums.
3. What Does the Root Canal Procedure Involve?
When you notice any of the above-mentioned symptoms, come to South Simcoe Dental Care for treatment. Our endodontic specialist will assess your dental health and do an x-ray to check the severity of the decay and the affected tissues if any, then perform the procedure in the following steps:
- The dentist will numb the gums using anesthesia, but if you have severe dental phobia and anxiety sedation may also be used. Your teeth will then be separated using a dry sheet to keep them free from saliva.
- The endodontist will open the crown of the teeth and clean the pulp. Next, he will reshape the pulp for a dental filling.
- The cleaned pulp will be filled with a biocompatible material and sealed
- The final step is done a few days later where the dental crown is fixed to restore the function of the teeth.
Although some people may find the dental crowns to be an unnecessary step, we advise that you get one. Remember, after the root canal, the tooth will be weak and prone to infection. Not having a dental crown will further, weaken your teeth.
4. What to Expect After the Procedure?
You will not have any pain during the procedure, but expect to have pain and discomfort and pain. Furthermore, you will have swelling, tooth sensitivity, and inflammation.
5. How to Take Care of Your Teeth After the Procedure?
As the gums heal, you need to avoid spicy and hard foods as they can affect the healing process. You can also use cold compression to keep the gum from swelling. Elevating your head can also help to stop the bleeding.
6. Are There Any Complications?
Yes. The root canal treatment may fail due to various reasons such as multiple root canals, large dental fillings, and infection. However, when reinfection occurs, the dentist can perform the procedure again.
7. Can Root Canal Treatment Kill the Tooth?
Not at all. The root canal treatment will save the tooth, it may not have any issues, but the tooth will function as normal.
8. Is it True the Teeth Turn Black After Root Canal?
Yes, at times the teeth may become discolored. However, you can address the issue with professional teeth whitening.
9. What Happens if You Don’t Get the Root Canal?
If the infected teeth are left untreated, decay can spread and worsen leading to extraction. Tooth pulling is a serious dental procedure, but worse still it will lead to the loss of your permanent teeth which don’t grow back.
Take Away
Root canal procedure is safe and rarely does it cause any side effects or complications. However, the recovery will depend on how well you follow the dentist’s instructions. Contact us if you have any reservations and questions about the root canal treatment cost and procedure.