The Importance of Root Canal Treatment in Preserving Dental Health
What Is A Root Canal?
It is a dental procedure that treats an infected or inflamed tooth. It involves removing the damaged or infected pulp (the soft tissue inside the tooth that contains nerves, connective tissues, and blood vessels) from the root canal system. A root canal procedure also involves cleaning and shaping the root canals, and then sealing them with a filling material.
How Do Root Canals Work?
The purpose of endodontics near you is to save teeth otherwise damaged or infected by decay, trauma, or other factors to avoid tooth extractions. Dentists in Largo, FL, typically perform root canal procedures in one, or multiple dental visits.
During the first visit, the dentist numbs the area around the tooth and makes a small opening in the top of the tooth through drilling. The hole allows him/her to access the pulp. The dentist will then access the inner layers of teeth to remove the damaged or infected pulp, clean and shape the root canals, before completing the treatment. In some cases, dentists administer an antibiotic inside the tooth to help clear up the infection.
Afterward, the dentist will filling the root canals with a material called gutta percha. It helps keep the tooth compact, maintaining its structure.
Later, the dentist in Seminole will apply a dental filling to seal the tooth and protect it from future damage. On a separate dental visit, your dentist may place a dental crown over the treated tooth to restore its function and appearance.
Is the Treatment Painful?
Root canals are often associated with pain and discomfort. However, with modern techniques, the procedure is usually no more uncomfortable than getting a filling. Dr. Cecilia Sorelle of Dental Arts Seminole will administer local anesthesia before treatment, which numbs your mouth so you do not feel pain. In complex endodontic procedures, the dentist may employ sedation dentistry to keep you clam and relaxed during the treatment.
When Is A Root Canal Needed?
A root canal is available for all patients with damaged teeth that are not willing to lose them prematurely. Therefore, the dentist will have to evaluate your mouth and determine how viable an endodontic treatment would be in saving your tooth. Usually, it is a dentist in 33778 that will tell you whether on not you need a root canal procedure.
What Are Some Symptoms That Indicate You May Need Root Canal Treatment?
Even before you visit a dentist for Root canal treatment, you can know that you need dental intervention by considering the following symptoms:
- A persistent and severe. toothache when biting or applying pressure.
- Sensitivity to temperature changes – when you eat hot or cold foods, the sensitivity lingers for a while after removing the stimulus.
- Discoloration or darkening of the tooth
- Swelling and tenderness in the gums around the affected tooth – may indicate an infection that has spread beyond the tooth.
- Pus or drainage around the affected tooth may be a sign of a dental abscess – it is a serious infection that requires immediate treatment.
- A tooth that has become loose or feels unstable as if it may fall off. You may also notice the tooth shifting, which could be a sign of advanced decay or gum disease that requires immediate treatment.
How Common Is Root Canal Therapy?
Root canals are a standard treatment for infected or inflamed teeth and have been used for many decades with a high success rate. Given the high success rates of root canals are (over 90%),the treatment is quite popular in restorative dentistry. It is an incredible alternative to treating damaged and diseased teeth instead of extracting them.
While root canals are a common procedure, not all cases of tooth infection or damage require a root canal. Your dentist may recommend a different treatment after evaluating your specific situation. In some cases, other treatments such as antibiotics, a dental filling, or a tooth extraction may be the best course of actions to address the problem.
