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.
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.
Pulp inflammation symptoms may include tender and bleeding gums, tooth sensitivity, severe pain when chewing, and pimples in the gums.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
Not at all. The root canal treatment will save the tooth, it may not have any issues, but the tooth will function as normal.
Yes, at times the teeth may become discolored. However, you can address the issue with professional teeth whitening.
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.
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.