What You Need to Know About a Root Canal
For patients that have severely decayed or damaged teeth, a root canal may be the preferred method of treatment over getting the tooth extracted. In this way, it is possible to repair the tooth and improve overall oral health. Root canals have a stigma of being scary and painful procedures, but this is far from the truth. At Dental365 we work to ensure your root canal treatment is as easy and comfortable as possible. Being a little nervous before treatment is natural, but it can help to arm yourself with answers to some of the most asked questions about root canals to be as prepared as you can! Keep reading to learn more about root canal treatment.
When Are Root Canals Needed?
A root canal can be required for a variety of reasons.
- Deep tooth decay that has reached the nerves
- Repeated procedures on the same tooth
- Badly cracked or chipped teeth
- A deep cavity that may have caused infection in the pulp
What Are The Symptoms A Root Canal Is Needed?
If you notice the following signs, you should speak with your dentist to see if a root canal is needed:
- Swollen or painful gums
- Sharp pain when biting or chewing
- Tooth sensitivity that lingers from hot or cold
- Darkened gums that may be signs of deep decay
- Chipping or cracking teeth
What Are The Benefits of Root Canal Treatment?
A root canal, also known as endodontic treatment, is designed to treat the soft tissue within a tooth. The goal of root canal therapy is to effectively clean the nerve contents of the tooth which will serve to remove any source of pain and in the event the nerve has “died” therapy removes a source of infection. Lastly, the overall appearance of the tooth can be improved once a crown is fitted to the root canaled tooth. It is customary to complete the root canal treatment by having a crown placed to protect the root canaled tooth which, as previously mentioned, has sustained a fracture or has been heavily restored already. Crowns are made to match the color of surrounding teeth and provide a natural looking smile.
What Happens During A Root Canal?
Before treatment, your dentist will numb your tooth, so you won’t feel any pain during the procedure. When undergoing endodontic treatment, or a root canal, the nerve and internal blood supply is carefully removed, and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and disinfected. This removes any internal damage to the tooth and protects bacteria or infection from spreading further. Once the infected pulp (also known as the nerve) is fully removed, the tooth is sealed with either a core buildup and crown or post/core and crown. After the procedure, the tooth will look and function like it did before treatment and the results will keep your smile looking healthier than ever.
Is Root Canal Treatment Painful?
Root canals are commonly feared as being an incredibly painful treatment. Through the use of modern dental technology painful root canals are now a thing of the past. Our dentists at Dental365 use the most modern dental tools available in order to make the procedure as painless as possible. Today, a root canal is not much different than having cavities filled.
What To Expect After The Procedure
After endodontic treatment, mild discomfort or tenderness is common for a couple days following treatment. If you notice particularly uncomfortable symptoms, over the counter anti-inflammatory medication can help relieve some of the discomfort. If your discomfort lasts longer than a couple weeks you should reach out to your dentist immediately, although severe complications are highly uncommon.
Schedule Your Root Canal Consultation Today!
Our goal is to make you as comfortable as possible with this procedure. For more information, call us today at 844.365.DENTAL or click here to schedule an appointment. Dental 365 has locations all throughout NY NJ, CT, MA and RI- click here to find one near you!
