What Is Root Canal Treatment?

A root canal is a remedy for the inflamed, contaminated, or dead pulp of a tooth. The dental pulp in the middle of the tooth is a soft material composed of the blood vessels, nerve, and connective tissue. The pulp chamber is the hollow portion that holds the pulp in the middle of the tooth, and it continues down the canals that reach through the surrounding bone and into the roots of the teeth. There is more than one root canal in certain roots, but all have at least one canal.

Is the root canal hurting?

A root canal is not more painful than a normal dental operation, such as filling or having a wisdom tooth removed, because patients are given anesthesia. However, a root canal is usually a little tender or numb after the operation, and can even cause slight pain for a few days.

How do you know if there's a root canal you need?

For a broken tooth from injury or genetics, a deep cavity root canals are required. When they find their teeth are sensitive to hot and cold, patients usually need a root canal.

There are signs that suggest you will need a root canal

  • Severe pain while biting or chewing

  • Pimples that are on the gums

  • A tooth chipped or cracked

  • Lingering reaction to heat or cold, even after the elimination of the sensation

  • Gums which are swollen or tender

  • Deep disintegration or darkening of the gums

Is It Possible to Return to Work after Root Canal?

While you are more likely to be numb after the operation for 2-4 hours, most patients are able to return to school or function immediately after a root canal. It is recommended against feeding, however, until the numbness is entirely gone.

How long would it take for a root canal?

An opening is made through the top of the tooth and the chamber and canals expel the pulp. With sodium hypochlorite the canals are washed. To ensure that all of the contaminated tooth structure is removed and there is space for an appropriate root canal filling, the canals are then formed by a file series of increasing diameter. During the whole process, a series of X-rays would be taken to ensure that the files meet the end of the root and that all the canals are correctly cleaned and formed.

How Long the Effects Last?

Root canals are efficient by over 95% and can last a lifetime. The most crucial part to make a root canal work as long as possible is to immediately follow the root canal to get the permanent tooth restoration and preserve the restoration with impeccable hygiene. A tooth that has a root canal may still have a cavity, so a person needs to properly brush and floss the tooth to keep it safe. Since the nerve in the tooth is not present, if the tooth gets a cavity, a person may not experience any symptoms. Only if it gets broken or gets another abscess around it would the tooth hurt. From time to time, the dentist may want to take X-rays to inspect the tooth for reinfection or other signs of failure.

See us at Comprehensive Family Dentistry for this treatment. For your root canal and other oral concerns related to teeth and pulp, visit us.