Root canal treatment. Did your dentist ask you to get it done? Are you scared?

What worries you more – is it the anticipated pain or the money it will cost you?

Well, reading this may not cure your pain, but awareness about the treatment will surely help lessen the worry.

So, read on. Here’s all you need to know about root canal treatment.

 

What is a root canal treatment?

Root canal treatment is one of the most common dental procedures performed across the world. Despite being so popular, people often wrongly refer to the treatment as merely “root canal”.  Let me correct you there. The root canal is a part of the teeth which contains the pulp. This pulp acts as a connector from the crown of the teeth to the tip of the roots. Your dentist might recommend a root canal treatment to anyone who has an infected or inflamed pulp.

Root canal treatment is an endodontic treatment used to remove the infected pulp and clean the root canal. After the infection is removed, the interior surface of the teeth is cleaned and sealed with filling. Further, a crown is fitted on the filled teeth, the nature of which depends on the location of the teeth. Being a treatment that caters to the interiors of a tooth, this root canal treatment comes under the specialised arena of endodontists. That being said, general dentists also perform this treatment. It usually takes around one to three sessions to complete this treatment.

 

How is it done?

The treatment procedure involves a few steps as follows.

Cleaning

Your dentist will begin by giving you a local anaesthesia. Following this, a dental dam might be placed over the area to ensure that the tooth is isolated and excessive saliva does not disturb the procedure. Now, an opening is made in the crown of the teeth. This incision is used to reach the infected pulp. Small files are used to remove the infected pulp tissue.

Filling

Once the root canal is cleaned and shaped, the dentist will fill the area with a rubber-like material. An adhesive cement is used alongside to seal the cavity completely. Further, the opening made on the surface of the teeth is sealed with a temporary filling.

Crown placement

Placing a crown is the final step in this restorative process. The temporary filling is removed during this process, and a permanent filling is used. The crown, made as per measurements taken earlier, is fitted on the top of the treated tooth. This makes the tooth viable for normal biting and chewing activities.

 

Is the treatment painful?

One must first understand that the treatment doesn’t cause pain; it alleviates the pain that an infected tooth causes! An infected tooth might cause unbearable pain and swelling. On the other hand, the treatment is relatively pain-free as the area is numbed before the procedure. After the treatment, once the numbness fades away, you can expect slight tenderness, irritation or even pain. Worry not cause all dentists prescribe some over the counter pain relief medicines post the treatment.

 

Who needs it?

Here are a few indicators that it is high time you get your teeth checked and finally carry out that root canal treatment your dentist had suggested.

Sensitivity

Although we brush this off as something minor, sensitivity to hot and cold food or drinks is one of the earliest indicators of things going haywire inside the tooth

Pain

We are not talking about a small ache here, but unavoidable pain that doesn’t go away. Any persisting tooth pain should be checked. Pain when any pressure is applied, that is, while touching or chewing, is also an indicator that the nerves around the teeth are damaged.

Swelling

The swelling of the gums and jaw is something serious. Swelling is caused by pus from the infection. When untreated, this pus collects in the gum and subsequently the jaw which causes swelling.

Discoloration

Any infected tooth will start to look darker as there is a lack of blood flow to the teeth.

Loose teeth

Loose teeth are actually infected ones. The pus from the infection can attack and soften the bone which holds the tooth in place. Hence, the loose teeth.

 

Complications

Like any treatment, a root canal can also have complications. If the infection is not entirely removed or the filling is not sealed correctly, the infection will further spread and affect the bones. This may cause the pain to return. In a few other cases, the position of the infection and the severity might cause the tooth to crack during the procedure. Thus, one would have to look for alternate options to restore the tooth completely.

 

Prevention

Prevention is always better than cure. And the best way to prevent any dental infection is to maintain good dental hygiene. Brush and floss regularly. Get regular check-ups done and abide by what your dentists suggest. Maintain a healthy diet and fluids, and make sure to avoid sticky and sugary food. A healthy lifestyle equals strong teeth. So, go an extra mile to keep your teeth happy!