Are you preparing for your first root canal? It’s normal to have questions or feel a bit uneasy about the procedure. But don’t worry! Advancements in root canal makes the treatment much easier and more comfortable than you might think.
Most people find the treatment to be virtually pain-free and very effective. So, what actually takes place during a root canal treatment? Here’s a simple guide to help you understand what your tooth will experience while you’re under a local anesthetic.
What You Can Expect from Root Canal Treatment?
If you’ve been dealing with a toothache, increased sensitivity, swollen gums, or other signs of decay, you might have a bacterial infection in your tooth. A root canal might be recommended to clear up the infection.
The goal of a root canal is to remove the infection and reduce the chance of future problems. It’s a great way to save a tooth that’s infected or badly damaged. It allows your dentist to fix the issue and relieve your symptoms without needing to remove the tooth, which can be much more complicated and expensive.
Although having to visit your local dental clinic a few times might not sound ideal, it’s all part of ensuring your tooth is completely infection-free.
How Root Canal is Actually Treated?
Getting ready for a root canal? Here’s what you need to know:
- Preparing for Root Canal Treatment
Before starting the procedure, your dentist will likely take a series of X-rays of your affected tooth. This helps them get a detailed view of the root canal and understand the extent of any damage.
Root canal treatment is typically done with a local anesthetic, which numbs your tooth and the surrounding gum. You might not need this numbing if your tooth is no longer sensitive.
- Removing the Pulp
To keep the area dry and prevent you from swallowing or inhaling any chemicals used during the procedure, your dentist will place a rubber sheet around the tooth.
Next, your dentist will use a drill to open up the top of your tooth and reach the soft tissue inside. They’ll remove any infected pulp and, if needed, drain any pus from a dental swelling.
- Cleaning and Filling the Root Canal
Once the pulp is out, the dentist will clean and shape the root canal. Because the canal is often very narrow, this part can take several hours and might need to be done over multiple visits. Front teeth usually have just one root and canal, while back teeth have more roots and canals, which means longer treatment.
If your treatment spans multiple sessions, your dentist might put a temporary medicine in the canal to kill any remaining bacteria and then seal it with a temporary filling. If you’re experiencing symptoms like fever or swelling, antibiotics may be prescribed to help manage and prevent further infection.
- Sealing and Fixing the Tooth
At your next appointment, the temporary filling and any medicine inside the tooth will be removed. Your dentist will then fill the root canal with a permanent material and seal the tooth to prevent reinfection.
Root-filled teeth can be more prone to breaking than healthy ones, so your dentist might suggest placing a crown to protect it. Sometimes, a root-filled tooth might darken, especially if it is injured. Your dentist can help with discoloration, possibly through whitening treatments.
- Adding a Crown
A crown covers the entire tooth and is often necessary after a root canal to prevent it from fracturing. Crowns can be made from metal, porcelain, ceramic, or powdered glass. Your dentist will reshape your tooth to fit the crown, take a mold to ensure a perfect fit, and then cement the crown in place.
If there’s only a small amount of tooth left, a post might be cemented into the root canal to help secure the crown. Feel free to ask your dentist any questions you have about the process. They’re there to help guide you through every step of the treatment.
What Happens If the Infection Isn’t Treated?
If you don’t get a root canal when it’s needed, the infection in your tooth won’t go away by itself. Instead, it can spread to other parts. Not treating the infection means you’ll keep dealing with pain, sensitivity, swelling, and possibly pus from your tooth.
Over time, the infection can even lead to losing the tooth. The only other option besides a root canal is to remove the tooth. This is a more complicated and expensive procedure, so it’s best to avoid it unless absolutely necessary.
Summing Up
If you think you might need a root canal or your dentist has told you that you need a root canal treatment, it’s important not to delay the treatment. Getting a root canal is one of the best ways to fix an infected tooth and get rid of the pain and other uncomfortable symptoms you’ve been experiencing.
