A root canal is a procedure that can save severely damaged or decayed teeth, prevent infection, and treat active infections. The process involves removing the pulp in the tooth’s pulp chamber and disinfecting the area. It often takes less than an hour from start to finish.
The pulp chamber of a tooth is the central chamber that is sealed from the rest of the tooth. It has nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues. A tooth’s pulp plays a vital role in its development, but it is not needed once a tooth is fully grown. At that point, the tooth can get the nutrients that it needs from surrounding tissues.
Damage or decay that reaches a tooth’s pulp chamber will not go away on its own. The pain caused by the injury worsens over time, and the damage can lead to the tooth becoming infected.
The following are a few of the things that patients should know if they think that they might need root canal therapy.
Root canal therapy typically starts with the dentist administering a local anesthetic. They use a drill to make a hole into the pulp chamber. Files are then inserted into the hole and used to extract the pulp. The files are also used to clean the pulp chamber.
After that, the dentist inserts medication into the hole and reseals the tooth with a rubbery type of filling called gutta-percha. Teeth that have been fixed with root canals are usually rebuilt with composite resin or covered with crowns.
Dental issues that can be fixed with root canal therapy include:
It depends on factors like how long a tooth has been damaged. If the damage affects the tooth’s root, an extraction might be the better option. An extraction might also be suggested if there is a significant risk of the infection expanding to other parts of the body, where it can have life-threatening consequences.
No. Dentists inject the area being worked on with local anesthetics before the procedure, so the patient does not feel any pain as the dentist works on their damaged tooth.
Most patients do not report feeling significant pain even after the anesthetic wears off. At most, they might experience slight discomfort that can be managed with over-the-counter painkillers.
Root canals therapy is needed when a tooth's pulp chamber has been damaged. This is the tooth's innermost layer that houses connective tissues, blood vessels, and nerves. These soft tissues are known as the pulp, and the pulp chamber prevents irritants in the mouth from reaching them.
Damage to a tooth caused by tooth decay or trauma can open up the pulp chamber, giving bacteria access to the soft tissues inside. This leads to the most common sign that a person needs a root canal: excruciating tooth pain that makes it impossible to get any sleep at night or focus during the day. Other signs that a person might need a root canal include increased sensitivity to hot, cold, sweet, and acidic foods; fever; pus coming out of a tooth's base; bad breath; and blood coming out from the insides of the tooth.
There is no significant recovery period after root canal therapy. Any toothache that the patient was experiencing before their visit should be gone by the time that the procedure is over. It can take a few hours for the effects of the anesthetic to wear off, so dentists typically advise patients to avoid eating for a few hours after the procedure because they can accidentally bite into their tongue or cheeks.
Most people do not report significant discomfort following root canal therapy. Any pain should be minor and can typically be managed with over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
Root canal therapy enables dentists to save teeth when the pulp has been compromised. Do you think that you need a root canal? Give us a call or stop by our clinic to set up an appointment.
Request an appointment here: https://dragonflydentalportcharlotte.com or call Dragonfly Dental of Port Charlotte at (941) 676-9225 for an appointment in our Port Charlotte office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Google: Root Canal Treatment in Port Charlotte, FL.
The thought of getting a root canal is, for many people, one of the scariest dental procedures possible. This treatment can cause a person to feel nervous and anxious. The truth is that your dentist will have the knowledge and training to successfully perform this treatment without you being in much pain. It is helpful…
When you think about a root canal, you may have thoughts of pain, discomfort, and a generally unpleasant experience. Of all the dental procedures, this one has one of the most infamous reputations. However, your dentist has the training, knowledge, and tools to correct significant decay and restore your oral health. To diagnose a tooth…
Want to learn more about what a root canal is so you can know what to expect when you are in need of this commonly performed dental procedure? When you do, it is likely you will feel much more comfortable about undergoing this particular procedure. This procedure is necessary when you have a tooth in…
As a local root canal dentist, we are in the business of saving infected teeth. The root canal is the natural cavity that exists within the center of the tooth. Inside of this natural cavity, there is a soft area that is known as the dental pulp or pulp chamber, and the root of the…