Endodontics – Everything You Wanted To Know About the Root Canal Treatment
Most people are afraid of getting a root canal done. Why is that? There are a lot of stories flying out there that root canals are painful, cause infections and recovery takes a long time. Let us demystify the monster. A root canal procedure is where a dentist fills in your tooth’s root canal, which is the space where your nerve, blood supply (pulp) and connective tissue live.
Why And When Is A Root Canal Treatment Necessary?
The pulp of your tooth is located deep underneath the dentin (enamel) of your tooth. It is protected from bacteria and other outside threats. As the tooth’s enamel wears down, the pulp comes into contact with the bacteria in the mouth. If a bacterial infection takes place, there’s a lot of pain and the tooth may die if left alone. A root canal procedure removes the delicate pulp, shapes the root canal space from within and filled. The dead tooth will serve you for long without any pain. A root canal is performed if there is:
- Tooth or nerve fracture
- Infection
- Dead infected teeth, which must either undergo root canal treatment or be extracted
- Nerve decay
- Cosmetic reasons
Is A Crown Necessary Post Root Canal Treatment?
Once the pulp is removed, the blood supply to the tooth ceases. As a result, the tooth becomes brittle and prone to fracture. To prevent this, the tooth must be crowned as soon as possible following the root canal procedure, especially if it’s a back tooth which takes on the burden of chewing. If it’s a front tooth, crowns aren’t strictly necessary, as they don’t handle heavy chewing.
How Much Pain Does A Root Canal Cause?
If the tooth is already badly infected, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics and painkillers to help manage the infection. The root canal, by taking out the nerves and blood supply, provides much-needed relief from any residual pain. If you’re very sensitive to pain, you can undergo root canal under sedation, which makes the procedure largely painless.
For How Long Does The Root Canal Procedure Hold?
A well done root canal treatment can last decades, or even your entire lifetime. Note however that it depends on how you use the tooth. Back teeth tend to take on more pressure owing to chewing and might not last as long as front teeth. Also, back teeth have large root canals and straight roots that makes it easy for them to be filled. Front teeth have narrow root canal spaces and curved roots that are tougher to fill. This affects the quality of root canal treatment. Also, a tooth that is treated before the infection spreads to the surrounding bone has a better chance of lasting than a tooth whose root is badly infected. The following factors can shorten a root canal tooth’s lifespan:
- Curved roots
- Narrow Canals and extra canals
- Badly-done filling
- Crown not placed where necessary
How Do I Know If I Need A Root Canal?
You’ll know you need a root canal if you are undergoing one of the following conditions:
- Pulpitis: Tooth inflammation is known as pulpitis and it usually comes with pain. A sharp pain could indicate a reversible pulpitis, which goes away quickly when the tooth heals. An irreversible pulpitis causes a throbbing, lingering, severe pain that quite likely requires root canal treatment.
- Infection: Infection is another cause of pain that might require a root canal treatment. Infection can cause one or more of these symptoms:
- Lingering, severe sensitivity to cold
- Tender to the touch
- Pain during chewing
- Spontaneous pain
- Swelling
- Discoloration of Tooth: When a tooth dies it can darken in colour. A traumatized tooth can take years to die. If you notice that one or more of your teeth have darkened over time, go to your dentist for an evaluation at once. You might be in need of a root canal treatment.
- Fistula: When a tooth is infected, sometimes a pimple forms on the gum of the infected tooth. This fistula allows the pus to drain into your mouth. Fistulas are mostly painless and go away when you’ve had root canal treatment.
How Is A Root Canal Performed?
Your dentist will remove your tender tooth tissues via a small hole made at the top of your tooth. Then your tooth’s root canal will be measured for cleaning. Your dentist will estimate the location and curve of the root canals using special x-rays and instruments. After cleaning and disinfecting the canals, your dentist will fill and seal them. This may take one to several sittings.
What’s The Recovery Time?
Depending on why you needed the root canal treatment, recovery can be anywhere from a few days to six months, especially if the bone around the tooth has to heal.
Want to know more about the Root Canal Treatment options in Livonia? Visit our Livonia Michigan Dentist Office at Platinum Dental Care or Call us at (734) 522-5520 to schedule your free initial consultation.
