How Root Canal Therapy Will Help You Avoid Future Dental Extractions

Dec 01, 2021

A root canal is a dental procedure that eliminates the decay in your tooth’s root and pulp. Your teeth have an outer enamel layer followed by dentin and a softcore inside that extends to the roots in the jawbone. The core has the pulp that comprises the blood vessels, connective tissues, and nerves. The dental pulp becomes infected when decay attacks the softcore. A root canal is performed to clean the decay.

A root canal requires one or two appointments with your dentist to be complete. Keep reading to learn what to expect before, during, and after the procedure.

What is a Root Canal?

It is a major dental procedure that involves cleaning the inner chamber of the tooth’s root. Root canal treatment relieves the pain caused by a decaying or damaged tooth. Although this procedure irritates the surrounding gums and nerves, the irritation should fade away after a few days. However, if the pain persists, visit a dentist near you.

When Do I Need a Root Canal?

Root canal therapy is performed when the tooth’s inner core (pulp) is infected or injured. The procedure will help remove the pulp, which is the best way to preserve the tooth’s structure. The crown, however, remains intact even if the pulp is dead. The common symptoms that lead to the death of tooth pulp are swelling, extreme pain in your tooth, and heat in the gums. Other causes of damage to the pulp include:

Having many dental procedures on the same tooth
A fractured or cracked tooth
When you have a deep tooth decay from untreated cavities
If you experience an injury in the tooth, it might damage the pulp

When the pulp infection is left untreated, it can worsen, leading to the removal of the tooth. However, a root canal treatment in Dental Arts, Seminole, FL, will be a better choice to bring your smile back.

Root Canal Procedure

When you go for your root canal appointment in our dentist’s office in Seminole, FL, you’ll be taken to the treatment room, where we will carefully place a bib around your neck to protect your clothes from being stained. Our dentist will then perform the following steps:

Step 1: Anesthetic

A small amount of numbing medication will be placed on your gum near the affected tooth. Once the area is numb, your dentist will inject a local anesthetic into your gums. A feeling of a burning sensation will occur that will pass immediately. The anesthetic will protect you from feeling pain during the procedure.

Step 2: Removal of the Pulp

Your dentist will make an opening on the top of the tooth to expose the damaged pulp. Once it is exposed, the dentist will keenly remove it using files (special dental tools). The files will help clean the cavities in your tooth.

Step 3: Antibiotics

Once the pulp is out, our dentist in Seminole, FL, will coat the area with a topical antibiotic to prevent reinfection and ensure the infection is gone. When the canals are completely disinfected and cleaned, the tooth will be filled and sealed with a rubber-like material and a sealer paste. Your dentist will then prescribe oral antibiotics for you.

Step 4: Temporary Filling

During the procedure completion, your dentist will fill the opening in the top of the tooth with a soft temporary material. The material prevents the canals from being damaged by the saliva.

What to Expect After the Procedure?

You might feel pain in your gums and tooth which should last for few days. However, you should avoid chewing with the damaged tooth until a permanent filling is placed on it. You’ll go to see your dentist after a few days to place the permanent filling on the tooth.

Risks and Consequences of Root Canal Pain

Root canal pain leads to discomfort. If the pain doesn’t resolve itself after some days, you should see your dentist immediately for further treatment.

Risks

It can lead to tooth loss when the damage is too deep to withstand the procedure.
If some of the infected particles are left on the tooth, it might develop an abscess at its root.

Precautions for Root Canal Pain During Sleep

Take an inflammatory pain reliever
You can use an ice pack on the side of the damaged tooth for less than 10 minutes
When sleeping, use a pillow to elevate your head to reduce swelling of the gums and tooth.