Root Canal
Root Canal Before and After. A root canal is a procedure that removes infected tissue from your tooth. It’s a common and often successful treatment to save a tooth that would otherwise be lost or infected.
The tooth’s pulp tissue can become infected from a wide range of sources. These include deep cavities or tooth decay, chips and breaks in your teeth’s enamel, and injury to a tooth.[1]
What is a Root Canal?
A root canal is a dental procedure that removes infected or damaged pulp tissue from the core of your tooth to save it from serious decay and potential tooth loss. Your tooth’s pulp tissue contains all of the nerves and blood vessels that are essential for your tooth’s health and normal function.
If the pulp becomes infected, it can spread to the surrounding bone and cause severe pain. This condition may also lead to deterioration of the jawbone or other issues that require tooth extraction.[2]
Once the dentist determines that a root canal is needed, they will follow a step-by-step process to perform the treatment. They will first take X-rays of the affected tooth to get a good look at its condition.
Next, the tooth will be numbed with local anesthesia to prevent any pain. After a small hole is made to access the infected pulp, it will be removed and cleaned thoroughly.
The pulp cavity will then be filled and sealed with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha. After the treatment, you can enjoy a healthy, natural-looking smile for years to come!
If you have a severely infected or damaged tooth, you should consider getting a root canal treatment as soon as possible. You can save your tooth from serious decay and infection with this important dental procedure, which is no more painful than a traditional tooth filling![3]
When Do You Need a Root Canal?
If you have a tooth that is experiencing severe pain, you may need to visit your dentist for root canal therapy. This type of treatment is performed to prevent your tooth from having to be extracted and replaced with a dental implant or bridge.
Your dentist can tell if you need a root canal based on a series of tests. These include X-rays, tapping on your tooth, examining the gum tissue, observing how loose or tight the tooth is and testing the vitality of the nerve.
In order to perform a root canal, your dentist will need to remove the pulp from inside the affected tooth and clean it. This will then be filled with biocompatible material.[4]
Once this process is complete, a crown will be placed to cover the top of the tooth and prevent it from cracking or breaking. This will also restore the tooth to its full function.
The dentist can recommend a root canal for other reasons, including the presence of extensive tooth decay or a fractured tooth. A crack or break in the enamel allows bacteria to enter and infect the interior of your tooth, where the nerves and pulp are located.
If you have a tooth that is severely decayed or infected, it will need to be treated with a root canal before restoration can be done. It can be difficult to predict which teeth will need a root canal, so it’s important to discuss symptoms with your dentist.[5]
What is the Procedure?
A root canal is a procedure that involves removing the nerve and pulp of a tooth that has become infected or decayed. This treatment is often necessary to save a damaged tooth and prevent the infection from spreading to other teeth or gums.
In its earliest stages, dental decay causes holes or pits in the tooth’s surface (cavities). Over time, these cavities can erode and threaten the interior of the tooth’s root chamber.
As dental decay continues to advance, the inner tissue of the tooth’s root, called the pulp, becomes infected and irritated. The resulting pain and swelling in the tooth may be intense.[6]
At this stage, it is often necessary to remove the infected tissue and disinfect it to resolve the pain. This treatment will also protect the surrounding teeth and gums from further infection, which could lead to tooth loss.
During a root canal, our dentist will use a special instrument to make a small hole in the top of the tooth’s crown and clean out all of the infected and inflamed pulp inside. This will then be filled and sealed to prevent further bacteria from entering the pulp chamber and causing further damage or infection.
Our dentist will provide a strong pain-relieving anesthetic to keep you comfortable during the procedure. The procedure is typically completed in two appointments, although additional visits might be needed depending on the severity of your tooth’s condition and the number of roots involved.[7]
Root Canals & Dental Crowns
Root canals are a common dental treatment that has saved millions of teeth over the years. This procedure is usually recommended when your tooth has become severely damaged or infected.
Our dentists will examine the extent of damage and X-rays to determine the best course of action for you. A local anesthetic will be used to keep you comfortable during the procedure. You may also request sedation if you’d like extra help relaxing.
Your dentist will then use a thin, flexible tool to clean out the infected pulp inside the root canal. Once the pulp is removed, your dentist will fill the space with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha to prevent bacteria from entering.[8]
Once the infected tooth is completely sealed, it’s time to restore the tooth with a filling or crown. A crown will protect the tooth from further complications and improve its appearance.
You may experience some pain and swelling after your root canal, but this is usually temporary. You can manage this discomfort by taking over-the-counter pain relievers and avoiding hard, crunchy foods until the inflammation subsides.
Once your tooth is restored, you can return to regular activities, but be sure to follow your dentist’s instructions for maintaining good oral hygiene. If you fail to do so, your root canal tooth can be susceptible to fracturing and other serious dental problems.[9]
Root Canal or Extraction?
If the dental pulp in your tooth becomes severely infected or damaged, you may require root canal treatment to save your tooth from extraction. A root canal is a dental procedure that removes the infected pulp, cleans and seals your tooth to prevent bacteria from entering it and causing infection.
During the root canal, the dentist numbs your tooth with anesthesia or sedation. He will also place a rubber dam along your teeth to keep them dry during the procedure. Then, an access hole is made on top of the infected tooth and a series of files are used to remove the infected pulp and other debris.[10]
After the bacterial content has been removed, a filling is placed into the canals to prevent further infection and protect the tooth. Your dentist will then need to place a restoration (usually a crown) to restore your tooth to its original shape and function.
A root canal is often the last resort before a tooth needs to be extracted. If a tooth is not treated quickly, the infection may spread and you may need to replace the tooth with an implant or bridge.
In most cases, root canals are a highly successful procedure that can save the infected tooth. However, you should still follow up with your dentist if you develop any complications after the procedure is complete.[11]
Prevention
Taking good care of your teeth and gums can help prevent root canal problems from occurring in the future. This is especially true if you maintain an excellent oral hygiene routine, and your dentist checks your tooth health regularly.
A root canal may be necessary when the soft inner pulp of a tooth becomes infected or exposed to bacteria. A root canal removes the infected tissue, cleans and seals it to stop further infection.
The goal of the procedure is to relieve your pain and save the affected tooth. Usually, you’ll experience mild to moderate pain following the procedure, but it will subside within 24-48 hours. If you have any discomfort after the treatment, you can use over-the-counter medication or prescription medication to control your pain.[12]
You may also want to make sure you have ice and cold packs available for after the procedure. This is helpful for reducing swelling and pain, and it will also be helpful if you have any other pain medications that you need to take in the immediate aftermath of your treatment.
The root canal procedure has a bad reputation, but modern endodontic techniques and anesthetics mean that today’s root canals are no more uncomfortable than getting a filling. In fact, they can often be completed in a single visit, and many patients are so comfortable during the process that they actually doze off!
Root Canal Before and After
In many cases, a root canal is the best course of action to save a tooth that has become severely infected. Before the procedure begins, our dentist will perform an exam and take x-rays to see how bad your infection is.[13]
During the root canal, the infected pulp is removed and then cleaned thoroughly. It is then sealed to prevent further infection from occurring.
What is a Root Canal?
A root canal is a dental procedure that removes infected pulp tissue from the inside of your tooth to save it from infection and decay. It’s a vital step in treating your pain and preventing serious dental issues like tooth loss or gum disease.
The pulp is a soft area of the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels. If the pulp becomes infected, the infection can spread through the entire tooth, leading to severe pain and inflammation that may require tooth extraction or a dental implant.
There are a few signs that you may need a root canal:[14]
Sensitivity (hot and cold) to pressure or temperature | A tooth that experiences sensitivity to hot and cold is a warning sign that it is infected with bacteria that can enter the nerve tissue. It is important to see a dentist for this condition as soon as possible.
Swelling in the gums or a tooth that has become tender or painful after biting down are also signs that a root canal is needed.
A root canal is one of the most common and effective ways to treat many types of tooth pain. Often, it is no more uncomfortable than getting a filling. The process involves cleaning the contaminated tooth, shaping and filling it with gutta-percha material to restore the structure and function of your tooth. It is usually followed by a temporary filling until your next appointment when you will receive a permanent restoration.[15]
When Do You Need a Root Canal?
Root canal treatment is necessary when a tooth has been damaged or infected to the point where its pulp chamber and nerve are affected. This can be due to an injury, severe dental decay, or even advanced gum disease.
Pain is usually the most obvious sign that a tooth needs a root canal. However, sometimes the pain is not constant and the dentist may be able to treat the tooth without a root canal.
Sensitivity to hot and cold food and drink is also a common symptom that can indicate a root canal is necessary. This sensitivity is a result of damage to the inner pulp cavity, and if left untreated can cause severe pain.[16]
Swelling is another symptom that can signal the need for a root canal. If the swelling is too intense to manage or it reaches your jaw or head, you should call your dentist immediately for an emergency appointment.
The pain of a root canal is often intense, and it makes eating, drinking, and talking very difficult. However, pain from a root canal is often temporary and will go away as soon as the procedure is completed.
Once a root canal has been performed, it is important to follow up with your dentist for restoration options like a crown or bridge. Failure to do so can lead to more pain, infection, and other complications.
What is the Procedure?
Root canal therapy, also called endodontic treatment, is necessary to save your natural tooth when it becomes infected or damaged by decay. A severe infection can cause a lot of pain and lead to tooth loss, so it’s important to get the infection treated quickly.[17]
The dentist starts by numbing the area using local anesthesia to make sure that you don’t feel any pain. The dentist then makes a small hole in the affected tooth to access the pulp chamber and root canals.
Next, the dentist removes the infected and decayed pulp with special files. The canals are cleaned out with some form of antiseptic, and then a rubber-like material is filled in to prevent future infection.
After a root canal, your dentist will place a temporary filling in the affected tooth and X-ray it to check for any further infection. If it’s safe to do so, he will then fill the canals with an artificial material and seal the tooth permanently.
While root canals can be quite painful, they’re actually one of the most effective treatments for severely damaged teeth. They can save a tooth that would otherwise need to be extracted, and they’re less invasive than other tooth restoration methods like dental crowns.[18]
Root Canals & Dental Crowns
A root canal is a routine dental procedure that often saves natural teeth from extraction. It’s not a painful treatment and can be performed in one visit with a local anesthetic. However, avoiding root canals for too long can lead to tooth infection or worse, an abscess.
Root canals have been around for a while, but modern dentistry has made them more efficient and less invasive. We use X-rays to help us determine the extent of the damage, then we numb the mouth using local anesthesia.[19]
Once the infected pulp is removed, a biocompatible material called gutta-percha is placed into the tooth’s canals to seal out bacteria. The tooth is then covered with a crown to protect the remaining portion of the tooth and reduce its risk of breaking down or fracturing.
After the procedure, you may experience some pain in your treated tooth. This is normal and will subside within a few days. If the pain persists or gets worse, call us to schedule a follow-up appointment.
Your dentist will also be able to tell you what caused the pain. If it’s a result of a break in the tooth, you may need to have a porcelain crown fitted on your tooth to provide additional protection.
After a root canal, it’s important to maintain your oral health by brushing with a soft toothbrush and flossing regularly. You can also rinse with antibacterial mouthrinse to help prevent infection and gum irritation.[20]
Root Canal or Extraction?
Root canals are generally a good option for treating infected teeth. They save the tooth from extraction and alleviate pain.
A root canal procedure starts with an x-ray of the tooth to determine whether it’s necessary. The dentist will use this to find out where the infection is and determine how it’s progressing.
Then the infected pulp is removed, which includes nerve endings, blood vessels, and connective tissue. Then the dentist will clean, shape, and fill your tooth with a material called gutta-percha.
Afterward, your dentist will seal and protect the root canal with a filling or crown. This will prevent further bacteria from entering your tooth, ensuring that the tooth stays healthy.[21]
You may experience some sensitivity in your tooth for a few days after the procedure, but this will subside as the inflammation diminishes. You can relieve this discomfort by using cold compresses and over-the-counter pain medications.
After a root canal, your tooth is susceptible to fracture because it no longer has the protective enamel layer that normally protects your tooth from breakage. This can lead to significant pain in the future, so it’s important to follow up with your dentist about restorative options like a dental crown or bridge to ensure that you have a tooth that’s strong and healthy for a lifetime.
If you have a tooth that’s severely infected, it may be too late to save the tooth. Extraction is a last resort, but it can be done with the help of a specialist like an endodontist.
Prevention
One of the most important things that you can do is to take care of your teeth before they become damaged or infected. This prevents the need for invasive treatment like a root canal or extraction.
Your enamel normally protects your tooth, but if a large cavity develops or the pulp tissue is damaged by trauma, a root canal may be needed to save the infected tooth. This procedure can prevent an infection from spreading to your sinuses, lungs, or even your brain.
The best way to avoid getting a root canal is to schedule appointments with your dentist to inspect your teeth regularly. We can check for cavities, detect any signs of infection, and recommend treatments that will help you keep your teeth in top condition.[22]
Symptoms of an infected tooth include pain, sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures, and swelling or discomfort in the tooth or gums. If you notice these symptoms, call your dentist immediately to get an x-ray and a diagnosis.
A root canal can be a life-saving procedure for your tooth, so you should never delay getting treatment. If you don’t, your tooth could fall out and require costly dental restorations.
You might be anxious about undergoing a root canal, but modern procedures are designed to be as comfortable as possible. While you may experience post-procedural soreness, these are usually controllable with over-the-counter pain medications.[23]
