Steps Taken During Root Canal Treatment Procedure
If you’ve been experiencing problems with your teeth, you might be wondering whether you need a root canal. Root canal or endodontic therapy is performed when the tooth’s pulp is infected and inflamed due to a broken, cracked, or decayed tooth. It can also be due to injury to your tooth. These things usually cause tooth pain, making you look for ways to get relief.
If you visit your dentist for such causes, they can recommend a root canal treatment. Here are some of the things you need to know about root canals.
What is a Tooth Pulp?
Pulp is a soft area found at the center of your tooth. It contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissues. The tooth’s nerve is located in the tooth’s root. The root canals move from the tip of your tooth to the pulp. The work of a tooth’s nerve is to provide the sensation of cold or heat.
Why Does the Tooth’s Pulp Need to Be Removed?
When your pulp is infected or damaged, it breaks down, and bacteria multiply within the pulp chamber. The bacteria can cause an abscessed tooth or an infection. An abscess is a pocket filled with pus that forms at the end of the tooth’s root. Also, an abscess is an infection in your root canal that can cause:
- Bone loss around the root’s tip
- Swelling that might spread to the face or neck
- Experiencing drainage problems that extend outward from the root.
What Damages a Tooth’s Pulp?
The tooth’s pulp can be inflamed, irritated, or infected due to repeated decay procedures, a crack in the tooth, deep decay, large fillings, or trauma to the face.
What are the Signs that One Needs A Root Canal Therapy?
Some signs show you that you may need a root canal treatment. They include:
- Tooth discoloration
- Severe toothache when you apply pressure or when you chew
- Swelling and tenderness in the neighboring gums
- Prolonged sensitivity to cold or hot temperatures
- A persistent pimple on your gums
The Root Canal Therapy Procedure
Root canal treatment requires two visits to our dentist in Regency Dental Centre in Etobicoke, ON, who specializes in treating teeth’s dental pulp. The treatment will include the following steps:
The first step involves your dentist taking an X-ray to see the root canal’s shape. It also helps to know whether there are any signs of infection in the surrounding bone. Your dentist will then administer local anesthesia to numb the surrounding gums and the tooth.
You’ll feel a pinch during the injection, but it’ll be for a moment. The dentist might place a small sheet of rubber on your tooth, isolating it to keep it dry and clean during the procedure.
Your dentist or endodontist will use small tools to access your tooth’s inside after creating an opening in the tooth’s top portion.
Next, small files are used by the dentist to clear away the infected pulp from the inside of your tooth. The files will also shape the inner chamber of root and tooth and might irrigate the chamber with water.
The purpose of irrigation is to ensure there’s no infected pulp left. The dentist might also use the antimicrobial solution to reduce the risk of further infection and kill any remaining bacteria.
Once the chamber is cleaned and dried, your dentist will fit it with gutta-percha, a rubber-like material. A temporary dental filling is then placed to close the tooth opening made by your dentist while you wait for a permanent crown.
After a few weeks, the dentist will complete the treatment by placing a permanent crown on top of the tooth. Depending on your tooth’s condition, the dentist may place a small post in the root chamber to support the crown and make it more stable.
What to Expect After the Procedure
You should maintain good oral hygiene after the root canal therapy in Etobicoke, ON, by brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing daily at home. You should also visit your dentist regularly for cleanings and exams. With a proper oral routine, your tooth treated with a root canal can stay healthy for a lifetime.