When you hear about a root canal, you, at the first instance may get scared about the procedure. When your teeth are badly infected or decayed, the dentist will prefer a root canal, which has a quite bad reputation among patients.
When you have decided that you are going to undergo root canal treatment, you will know that you are experiencing discomfort and pain in your teeth. The discomfort or pain can be a result of previous post–op surgery.
It is seen that simple root canals are smile–saving treatments. A root canal is designed to restore your healthy and strong teeth. Dentists would like to take a last chance with a root canal, as that is the last stop before teeth extraction.
When your decayed or infected teeth have passed other less invasive treatments, the dentist will try out a root canal. While allowing you to keep your healthy smile intact, a root canal saves infected teeth from extraction and decay.
Basic Things About Root Canal
You need to understand the basic anatomy of a tooth, as you try to understand root canal treatment. When you are seeing a tooth, you will know that a tooth is composed of white enamel, a hard layer known as dentin and soft tissue called the pulp.
Ways You Know That You Need a Root Canal
Your dentist will confirm whether you are eligible for a root canal. It is seen that dentists will check symptoms that will tell them that you need a root canal. When it comes to healing infected teeth, dentists often perform root canals.
If there are symptoms of infected teeth, you will require a root canal. The symptoms are:
Swelling in gums or mouth
Severe or minor pain
Sensitivity when opening your mouth
Sensitivity to hot and cold
Tooth discoloration
Pain or pressure when chewing
Bone loss
Broken or cracked teeth
Headache
Gum diseases issues
Treatment Process of Root Canal
There are several processes of the root canal.
Preparation
When dentists start with root canal therapy, they will use local anesthesia that will numb the affected tooth. You will feel relaxed as well. Dentists will recommend sedation, as they want to complete the treatment process safely and correctly.
Sometimes the nerve remains dead, and dentists do not need to apply anesthesia at all. Dentists will place the rubber dam, once they apply anesthesia in that area. While they will perform your treatment, your mouth will be free from saliva, and remain dry.
Removal of Infected Pulp
While dentists will start to drill to get access to your teeth, they will remove decayed nerve tissues, infected pulp, and bacteria. While using root canal files, your dentist will clean the area.
While dentists will work down the full length of your tooth to scrub and scrap the root, they will place these files in the access hole. While flushing away the debris, they will spray water in the area.
Sealing and Cleaning
While being a part of root canal therapy, dentists will proceed to seal your teeth. Dentists may wait a week, as they give you time to heal after the procedure is over. Dentists will check for any infection and might give medication.
While they will advise you to keep food particles and saliva out of your treatment area, they will also apply a temporary filling in the exterior hole. If there are no problems, dentists will seal your teeth immediately.
At the start of a root canal, they use rubber compound, and sealer paste to close the access hole drilled.
Further Restoration
While being a part of root canal therapy, dentists will perform further restoration for your teeth. While they will restore your treated teeth, they will remove the decayed pulp. While they try to safeguard protected areas, they will place a crown in that place.
The crown will help already weakened and damaged teeth from breaking. While there will be improvement in appearance, the filling will restore your teeth to full function.
How Long Does a Root Canal Take?
Once you are going for a root canal procedure, you will need to set aside an hour and a half for the treatment. If the case is not specific, dentists will say the procedure will last for one hour. When your conditions are alright, it may take less time as well.
Eating After Root Canal
Dentists will allow you to eat normal foods, once you are done with the procedure. When you eat, you may develop some sensitivity. You will need to eat some soft foods, which do not require much chewing.
You will need to eat soft foods so that your procedure can heal quickly. Once the procedure is done, dentists will ask you to wait to eat.
Recovery
It is seen root canal procedure has extreme success rates. Statistics say that there is nearly 95% success with root canal procedures. While dentists will give you painkillers, you will be able to ease off sensitivity.
Final Thoughts
The main motive of root canal treatment is to remove the infected pulp from teeth. There will be better results for your gum, mouth, and teeth at the end. While you will be able to speak well, you will be able to bring back your confidence.