There are times when extraction may not be the proper solution for an aching tooth. Getting a root canal is another solution, and it has earned a reputation of being a very painful dental treatment process - but in reality, and if properly executed, it should not hurt more than having a dental filling. During the procedure, the dentist removes the pulp and tissue, cleans the inside of the tooth, and then seals it.
Why Remove The Tooth Pulp?
In cases wherein the pulp or the nerve tissue of a tooth becomes damaged, bacteria can grow and multiply inside the chamber. Added with decayed debris, this can result to an infection, or an abscessed tooth when pus forms at the tooth's roots. Other symptoms of an infected root canal are:
1. Swelling on the face, head, or neck
2. Bone loss near the tooth's root
What May Cause Damage To The Pulp And Nerve Of The Tooth?
The nerve and the pulp of a tooth may become inflamed, irritated, and infected due to the following:
1. Multiple dental procedures done on the tooth
2. Large teeth fillings
3. Extensive tooth decay
4. Chipped or cracked tooth
5. Trauma on face
When Is A Root Canal Treatment Recommended?
The most common symptoms dentists look for so that a root canal treatment would be administered are the following:
1. Intense pain during chewing or when pressure is applied on the tooth
2. When cold or hot temperatures lead to recurring sensitivity and pain even after the stimulus has been removed
3. Tooth darkening or discoloration
4. Swelling around the gum area
5. Pimple on gums that persists or recurs
How Is A Root Canal Performed?
Root canal treatments are done by dentists or endodontists depending on the root canal procedure's degree of difficulty. This is usually discussed with the patient by the attending dentist during consultation. The process itself may take one to a few days.
The first step is usually done by taking an X-ray of the affected tooth to check for infections in the nearby bone, and also see the root canal's shape. A local anesthesia is then administered on the tooth's surrounding area. The area needs to be kept dry during the treatment so a rubber dam is used.
The best dentist in Laurel, Maryland will then drill an access hole inside the tooth, from which the damaged nerve tissue and other debris are extracted. This is done through the use of files specially made for the dental procedure. Debris is flushed away by using sodium hypochlorite or water periodically.
After cleaning the inside of the tooth, it will have to be sealed. The sealing may not happen on the same day of the cleaning process. This is to clear out any infection first by putting medication. The sealing process includes the use of gutta percha, a rubber compound.