Frequently Asked Questions About Root Canal Therapy
A sick or wounded nerve indicated that you were on the verge of losing a tooth. Because of root canal treatment, this is no longer the situation. The process may need up to three visits to the dentist, but it is painless. The most significant advantage is keeping your teeth and preserving your smile.
What exactly is a root canal treatment?
Each tooth has pulp, which provides nourishment and nerves to the tooth. This pulp is linked to the root. If the pulp becomes infected or wounded, the pulp tissue dies. If you do nothing, your tooth will get infected, risk losing it. Root canal treatment will save the root canal’s injured pulp. The dentist will remove the infected pulp, rebuild the canal, seal it for protection, and install a crown to reinforce your tooth.
Why do I need root canal therapy?
Because your tooth cannot repair itself, the infection will spread if you do not treat a sick or injured nerve. When left untreated, pus forms a “pus-pocket” termed an abscess near the root tip of the jawbone. An abscess may harm the bone surrounding the teeth. The bone around your tooth will deteriorate, and your tooth may become loose until it comes out. The pain usually worsens.
Aside from root canal treatment, you have another choice. You have the option of having the tooth pulled. This will be less expensive, but you will have a missing tooth. As a result, the neighboring teeth move into crooked positions, resulting in a poor bite. This implies that a bridge or implant may be required, both of which are likely to be more costly than root canal treatment. It is preferable to undergo root canal treatment since you will keep your natural teeth.
How can I choose the best dentist for me?
Your dentist can help you if you have sick or injured nerves in your teeth and need root canal treatment. In general, it is a straightforward technique. Do not be afraid to consider alternative treatment choices with your dentist.
What is the cause of pulp nerve damage?
The two most prevalent causes of pulp nerve injury are trauma and physical irritation. Trauma to a tooth may harm sensitive nerve tissue inside the tooth. This might be the consequence of a tooth being hit hard. The transmission of dental decay to the nerve causes physical discomfort. As a consequence of the damaging bacteria coming into touch with the nerve, degradation and infection occur.
What exactly are the signs of pulp nerve damage?
Pulp nerve injury manifests itself in a variety of ways. These symptoms may be similar to those of other illnesses. As a result, it’s essential to see a dentist figure out what’s wrong. The symptoms include a swollen face, increased sensitivity in your teeth while drinking hot or cold liquids, and tooth discomfort caused by chewing and biting. It is worth mentioning that these symptoms might vary in severity from person to person.
What exactly is a “root canal”?
The pulp is the soft tissue that houses your tooth’s veins, arteries, nerves, and lymph vessels. The pulp is found underneath your tooth’s outer enamel and inside the dentin. Root canals are short, thin divisions that branch from the upper pulp chamber and continue down to the root.
What exactly is “dental pulp”?
Each tooth contains pulp, which is the soft tissue that supplies nourishment and nerves to the tooth. Blood veins, connective tissue, and nerves are all found in the pulp. It weaves its way down through the root-like a thread.
What does therapy entail?
Root canal treatment may need up to three dental visits.
The therapy will proceed in the order listed below.
- A hole is made in the crown of the tooth to provide access to the pulp chamber.
- The dental pulp is extracted.
- The root canal(s) are cleansed, expanded, and shaped before filling.
- Medications may be placed into the pulp chamber and/or root canal(s) to kill dangerous bacteria and prevent future infection.
- Your dentist may opt to drain the tooth by exposing it for a few days. Otherwise, a temporary filling will be placed to safeguard the tooth until the next visit to the dentist. Also, antibiotics may be given to you to help treat the illness. This is done to help keep the infection from spreading beyond the tooth.
- Fill and seal the pulp chamber and root canals.
- After removing the temporary filling, the pulp chamber and root canal(s) are cleaned and filled.
- The tooth is covered with a gold or porcelain crown.
The tooth’s crown is then repaired.
What exactly is an ‘endodontist’?
Endodontists are dentists who specialize in illnesses of the tooth pulp. They often undertake more difficult endodontic operations that ordinary dentists do not. This may entail re-treating root canals that have not fully healed. Endodontists may help diagnose the causes of mouth and face discomfort.
How long will the repaired tooth be functional?
Your repaired tooth can survive a lifetime, however, this is dependent on several factors. The treated’s root(s) must continue to be fed by the surrounding tissue. It is also important to practice proper dental hygiene and see the dentist regularly for a check-up.
Are there any dangers?
It is important to treat a tooth that requires root canal therapy as soon as possible. Any delay is likely to result in an abscess at the base of the tooth, which will erode the bone structure. It will be quite hard to preserve the tooth, and the tooth may come off. The infection may also spread to neighboring teeth, resulting in a swollen face and neck, blood poisoning, and fever.
Some patients have allegedly regarded root canal treatment as ordinary as getting a filling. The majority of the time, root canal procedures are effective. The treatment may need to be performed on rare occasions due to the fracture of a canal filing device utilized or an undiagnosed sick canal.
What happens once therapy is completed?
Natural tissue inflammation may cause little pain in certain circumstances. This will most likely last a few days and maybe alleviated with an analgesic from a drugstore or supermarket. A follow-up checkup with your dentist will be necessary to monitor the healing tissue. It is best to avoid difficult-to-chew meals. It will also be necessary to practice proper dental hygiene and see your dentist regularly.
