What To Expect From A Root Canal?
As a fully qualified prosthodontist and Orlando area cosmetic dentist, I get questions all the time about what to expect from a root canal procedure. Right off the top I’d like to say that root canal dentistry is actually quite easy and when presented with the option of saving the tooth that is our preference.
What To Expect
Basically your dentist will do their best to ensure that the patient undergoing root canal will be at complete ease, and he or she may even prescribe dentistry sedation.
They will also administer a local anaesthetic at the beginning of the procedure. X-rays will be taken before, during, and after the procedure to ensure that the tooth is structurally intact and that there is no subsequent infection.
With the area suitably numb the dentist will begin the root canal treatment by drilling a hole into the crown of the tooth. All of the pulp is then removed from the pulp chamber and root canals. Some teeth have only one root canal, whilst others have up to four. The pulp is removed using a specialist dentist’s tool called a root canal file.
Once the pulp is removed the pulp chamber and root canals will be cleaned and reshaped. This is to allow them to be filled to rebuild the tooth.
Temporary Fillings
When a dentist determines it’s necessary to carry out the root canal treatment over several visits they will use a temporary filling to protect the tooth. If otherwise, they will fill it with permanent gutta percha.
This is a rubber solution which completely fills and seals the pulp chamber and root canals to prevent any bacteria from entering to cause an infection. The top of the tooth will then be fitted with a prosthetic crown to ensure that the tooth is properly rebuilt.
After The Treatment
After the root canal treatment is completed a patient can expect to feel some discomfort, but it should only last for a few days. They will notice that the pain they felt previously is completely gone. Proper oral hygiene will ensure that their tooth is extremely long lasting, and moreover will mean that the rest of their teeth are less likely to develop cavities.
If someone suspects that they may require root canal treatment they might not know exactly what to expect from the procedure. Some of the feelings they will experience is extreme pain, which is caused by one or more of their teeth becoming so decayed that the internal nerves are exposed.
In extreme cases a large cavity which exposes the pulp chamber and nerves in a tooth will also allow bacteria within the mouth to enter. This can cause a serious infection which can affect the surrounding bone and gums.
The Pulp Chamber And Soft Inner Tissue
The pulp chamber houses the soft inner tissue of the tooth, which is called the pulp. This includes a main nerve which travels from the pulp chamber down the tooth and into the root.
This is normally protected by a layer of dentin, and then a further layer of enamel.
Tooth decay, or a cracked tooth, means that these protective layers are highly prone to infections, and it’s the growth of the bacteria that does this.
People who are in a lot of pain with a tooth might expect a dentist to want to remove the tooth. That certainly used to be the traditional method of dealing with an infection. Modern dentistry techniques, however, allow infected teeth to be saved and restored.
The thought of this treatment usually makes people feel very nervous, however if they know what to expect beforehand then they will realize that there is no need to be anxious.
If you have any questions about root canal treatments feel free to call our Orlando area dental practice at 407-656-8080 today and we’ll me more than happy to answer them.
