For most people, the idea of undergoing a root canal can send cold chills down their spine. For whatever reasons, some people believe root canal procedures are excruciating without realizing that the whole idea of the procedure is to alleviate pain and keep your teeth healthy.
You can save your pearly whites when they are infected or damaged due to trauma by undergoing a root canal. It is the quickest and best solution if you desire to keep your natural teeth intact.
Dental technology has evolved, and such procedures are pain-free, and you can be back home in no time with a gorgeous and healthy smile.
What Is a Root Canal?
Your tooth is covered by enamel, the toughest substance in the body designed to protect the inner softer parts of the tooth. The inner parts are home to the dental pulp and dentin. The dental pulp has blood vessels, connective tissue, and nerves.
When the enamel has cracked, or there is a hole, the pulp becomes exposed to food debris and bacteria. In no time, bacteria will accumulate in the pulp chamber, causing an infection.
Therefore, the purpose of the root canal procedure is to remove the infected or damaged pulp. This is what will ease the pain and make you feel better.
When Is It Necessary to Get a Root Canal?
Trying to ascertain whether you need a root canal is necessary can be a challenging thing for most people. However, you can peel your eyes for the following root canal symptoms:
- A lengthy period of tooth sensitivity
- Swollen or tender gums around the infected tooth
- Chipped or cracked teeth
- Discolored teeth or darkening of surrounding gum tissue
- Pimples that appear on the gums
- Jolting pain whenever you eat or chew
Once you have noticed the above signs, make your way to our office for treatment.
What Does the Treatment Entail?
A root canal is executed in three distinct steps and might take between one and three dental appointments before your smile is restored.
- Initial Step – Cleaning the Root Canal
Cleaning out the root canal is the first stage of the procedure. It commences when our dentist administers local anesthesia so that you can be comfortable during the procedure. Afterward, an incision will be made on the crown to make it easy for our dentist to access the pulp chamber.
Our dentist near you will meticulously remove the diseased, decayed, and dead tissue from the pulp chamber. Then, the root canal will be cleaned to curb any chance of reinfection.
- Second Step – Fill Up the Pulp Chamber
When the pulp has been removed, the hollow part left behind will be irrigated with disinfectants. Then, the pulp chamber will be shaped and then filled up using a substance known as gutta-percha.
There would be times when the tooth will not be sealed in the same visit, especially if there were a severe infection within the root canal. In this case, you will go home after our dentist has placed medication within the pulp chamber to clear out the infection.
A temporary filling will be used the same day so that food, saliva, and bacteria don’t gain access to the pulp chamber.
- Third Step – Restoration
After our dentist ascertains that there is no infection within the chamber, then you can receive a filling or a dental crown. A crown is preferred since it helps to reinforce a weakened tooth and prevents further damage from happening.
What Can You Expect After the Procedure?
Some slight pain is to be expected after a root canal. Also, you can experience some sensitivity when the anesthesia wears off. You can feel the sensitivity and discomfort for a few days.
However, our dentist will prescribe some painkillers to help ease the pain and reduce the inflammation that occurs after the procedure.
For there to be proper healing, avoid eating hard foods such as nuts since they can impede the sealing of the site.
Are There Other Options?
Yes, there are options such as tooth extractions that can be used to remove the diseased or decayed teeth. However, our top priority as dentists is to ensure that we save your natural teeth, by all means possible since nothing compares to them.
Besides, tooth extractions will cost you more in the long run since the mouth was never designed to be with spaces. So, you will have to seek tooth replacement options.
Contact us at Bella Smiles if you desire to keep your pearly whites healthy and beautiful.