Save Your Natural Teeth with a Root Canal Treatment

What is Root Canal Treatment?
A root canal is a treatment to repair and save a badly damaged, decayed tooth, infected, or injured tooth. The procedure involves removing the damaged and infected tissue inside the tooth (the pulp, which is the nerve and blood supply of the tooth), cleaning and disinfecting it, and then filling it. The common causes affecting the pulp are a cracked tooth, a deep cavity, repeated dental treatment to the tooth, or trauma. The term “root canal” means cleaning the canals inside the tooth’s root. After the root canal treatment is done, the dentist builds the tooth back up and places a crown to restore the tooth. A crown is almost always placed afterward to restore the tooth to its original shape and to prevent the tooth from a future fracture as the root canal makes the tooth weak and brittle over time.
How do I know I need a Root Canal Treatment?
- The root cause of your tooth pain is severe decay caused by an untreated cavity.
- You experience a severe toothache when chewing food.
- There is prolonged pain in your teeth when exposed to heat/cold long after the source has been removed.
- You have darkened or discolored teeth.
- Your gums are swollen and tender.
- You suffer from gum disease.
- The dentin is exposed.
What Is Done In a Root Canal Procedure?
The treatment typically starts with a comprehensive assessment which includes an X-ray of the affected area. This helps in determining the severity and the extent to which the infection has spread so that your dentist can design a treatment plan that is specific to your case.
- The complete procedure is performed under the effect of local sedation which numbs the affected and the surrounding area.
- A rubber sheet is placed around the tooth to ensure that it remains dry and free of saliva.
- Once the tooth is prepared for the procedure, an access hole is drilled right upto the pulp tissue in the root area, after which the decayed nerves and the bacteria is removed.
- The treated tooth is finally flushed with a sterile solution. Clearing the tooth’s canal of diseases-causing bacteria and removing the infected and inflamed pulp is the core part of this procedure.
- Once this is done, the dentist seals the treated space using a temporary seal which is then permanently closed a week later.
How should I prepare for root canal treatment?
You don’t require to follow a handbook of instructions on things to do before your root canal treatment. However, here are some of the things to do for a successful treatment of a tooth that needs a root canal:
- Avoid alcohol and tobacco a day before your appointment
- It’s better to eat before the root canal treatment since you’ll be numb for a couple of hours after
- Taking a painkiller or prescribed antibiotics before the appointment is necessary if you have any infections
- Come well-rested before the appointment
How long does a root canal treatment procedure last?
Your root canal surgery may take as little as 45 minutes or as long as one and a half hour, depending on the tooth’s location. Ideally, your front teeth can take less time compared to molars because molars have multiple roots.
Apart from the tooth’s location, the amount of infection and how long the infection has lasted also affect the root canal procedure, taking about one or two visits.
How is the root canal procedure done?
In a dental office, the root canal procedure is performed by a root canal specialist, also known as an endodontist or a general dentist. Here’s how the procedure is conducted:
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Anesthesia:
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Dental Dam Placement:
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Access Hole:
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Pulp Removal:
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Disinfecting the Tooth:
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Filling the Canal:
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Sealing the Tooth:
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After Care:
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Final Restoration:
What are the risks or complications of root canal treatment?
Like any other kind of treatment, even the root canal procedure has some risks or complications associated with it, including:
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Missed Canal:
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Fracture:
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Reinfection:
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Fractured File:
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Perforation:
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Endo-Perio Lesion:
Is an infected root canal preventable? If yes, then how?
Yes, preventing root canal infection is possible if you take the following steps:
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Brush and Floss:
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Maintain a Healthy Diet:
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Visit the Dentist Regularly:
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Wear a Mouthguard:
How long does the root canal treatment take to recover?
Once the anesthesia wears off, you may feel pain and soreness lasting two to seven days. But it should go down after a few days. Your dentist will recommend an over-the-counter painkiller for relief; you can take it if necessary. And if the pain or swelling doesn’t subside or worsen, contact your dentist.
What care needs to be taken after the root canal procedure?
The local anesthetic may last a few hours after the treatment, so wait for it to wear off before eating. Avoid having hot and hard food as you could risk burning your mouth or biting the treated tooth, which could hurt a lot. Take painkillers and antibiotics as directed. Do not exercise or do any strenuous activity for the day.
The tooth may feel sore on chewing or touching for the next few days. Avoid eating on that side and eat softer food. Take painkillers if needed.
Follow the instructions and return for a follow-up as directed by your dentist. The tooth may need final restoration (filling or crown). Even if the tooth does not hurt, don’t neglect going back to the dentist for the final restoration, as you risk the tooth fracturing or the tooth getting re-infected if not restored. Watch out for complications after the treatment. Contact your dentist if the pain or swelling worsens after a few days.