For the longest time, people have associated root canal therapy with pain and discomfort. The treatment can be uncomfortable for patients, given that the damage had already taken root when the nerve endings were triggered. Thankfully, you do not have to fear anymore for root canal treatment.
What Is Root Canal Treatment?
It is a procedure used to save the natural tooth by increasing its life. The treatment involves removing the central part of a tooth to alleviate teeth, as well as get rid of the infection. The procedure is called root canal therapy because it deals with an infected root canal (the root base of a tooth.)
Understanding the Treatment
The whole treatment is performed by an endodontist near you, which means you do not need the mastery of the whole process. However, it will make you a lot more comfortable with the procedure if you learn a thing or two about what the process entails.
The tooth is made up of different parts the enamel is the exterior part of the tooth that is most visible to the eyes, followed by the dentin. When tooth decay happens, the enamel and dentin are compromised. A cavity forms on the surface of the tooth. This invites bacteria, food residues and acids into the interior of the tooth.
On the inside, the central part of the tooth is known as the pulp chamber. It houses the blood vessels, nerve endings and soft tissues of the tooth. Whenever you feel sensitivity or pain in your tooth, it is usually this part that is responsive. Beneath it is the root of the tooth, supported in the bone and gum tissue.
Root canal treatment involves the removal of the central part of the tooth. When decay gets into the pulp chamber, it causes severe pain. The infection that makes its way this far also causes internal damage to a tooth. In some cases, extensive tooth decay or damage allows the formation of abscess at the root of the tooth. This causes further infection, swelling, and unbearable pain.
A mature adult tooth can survive without the pulp chamber ideally, as long as it is attached to the jawbone and gum tissue, it will still access the necessary nutrients from the surrounding tissues of the mouth. Therefore, instead of extracting a decayed tooth, a root canal is used as an alternative that will save the natural tooth as long as possible. A root canal dentist in Queens, NY, will recommend this treatment where a lot of the natural tooth’s structure is uncompromised. It is also the best way to control decay and prevent further infection.
What to Expect From the Treatment
Given that the central parts of your tooth have to be removed, it tells you that this is an intricate dental process. In fact, most patients have to consider a dentist open on Saturday near them, given that decayed teeth often present dental emergencies, depending on the root canal symptoms you experience. Some of the things you should expect from the treatment include:
- Local anesthesia – is used in dentistry as a means to alleviate pain and discomfort. The root canal process can be sensitive since the nerve endings are being worked on, which is why you need that area numbed.
- Entry point – your endodontist will make a hole on your tooth as an entry point to the inside of your tooth. The external part of your tooth is, therefore, drilled to create a hole that will allow dental tools to get through to the inside of the tooth.
- Cleaning – once the inside of your tooth is sucked out, it is also cleaned. The cleaning happens to get rid of the ingestion caused by the decay. It removes the bacteria, any food residues, as well as the abscesses formed at the root of the tooth.
- Sealing – once everything is removed and cleaned, your tooth is good to go. A filler is used to cover the insides of the tooth and prevent entry in the future.
- Inserting a dental crown – sometimes, a dental crown is used as a replacement for the damaged enamel. It covers the whole tooth, giving it a completely new look. The crown is bonded to your newly treated tooth.