If you're in need root canal treatment, you may be feeling pretty anxious about the whole thing. Reading up on root canals is the best thing you can do to prepare yourself for the procedure -- it’s efficient, simple, and relieves the pain! The treatment is a common and highly successful procedure designed to protect your teeth and restore your dental health. With the help of a skilled and experienced dentist from Dentists Near Me, there’s really nothing to be scared of.

What is a root canal?

A root canal is the space in the root of a tooth, which contains a number of other canals, along with a pulp chamber comprised of blood vessels and nerves. If the tooth becomes damaged, the pulp becomes inflamed and infected with bacteria. This can be caused by:

• Severe tooth decay
• An injury to your mouth (such as, a hit or a knock)
• A loose or damaged filling
• Gum disease (gingivitis)

The infected pulp can spread to the root canal and become painful. The root canal treatment essentially removes the unhealthy pulp from the canal and cleans the infected area.

How do I know if I need this treatment?

The best way to find out if you need root canal treatment is to visit your dentist as soon as you can. But you may need treatment if you’re experiencing one or more of the following root canal symptoms:

• Mild or severe pain
• Tooth discoloration
• Swelling, redness, and irritation on the surrounding gum tissue

The extent of the pain experienced can differ from patient to patient, and manifests itself in a variety of ways:

• Pain ranges from slight to extreme, and may include throbbing.
• Hot or cold drinks can trigger it.
• A change in posture (sitting, standing, or bending down, etc.) can intensify or lessen the sensation.
• Pain may be spontaneous, or the result of chewing, biting, or tapping on the tooth.
• Pain may last several minutes at a time, or for several hours.  

Why is it so painful?

The nerve fibers, blood, and lymph tissues contained in the root canals are what makes the whole tooth “alive”. Once infected, the dental pulp begins to die which in turn kick starts the body’s inflammatory responses. The inflammation coupled with the infection results in severe pain: a bad toothache.

A severe toothache is very serious and requires immediate attention from a dentist to ascertain its cause. If the infection is just left to spread, it can travel beyond the jaw and enter the head and neck. This requires extensive medical treatment, usually with a stay in hospital. In some cases, the tooth may need to be removed and replaced with a dental implant or bridge to restore its full form and function.

The root canal treatment procedure in 6 steps:

• Step 1: The dentist numbs the infected tooth and drills a hole to reach the root canal.
• Step 2: The infected or inflamed tissue pulp is removed from the canal with special files. Debris is also removed to clean the area. The canal is then shaped to accommodate a filling material.
• Step 3: The canal is filled with a permanent material (called gutta-percha) to keep it free from contamination or infection.
• Step 4: The opening of the tooth root is then sealed with a temporary filling material, which stays in place until a permanent filling or a crown is fitted.
• Step 5: In order to provide the crown with optimum support, a post may be fitted in the root next to the gutta-percha.
• Step 6: The replacement crown is bonded into place.

After-care

For a successful recovery, it’s important to look after your teeth following a the treatment. Brush and floss your teeth twice a day as usual. You can also stay in good oral health by:

• Avoiding hard or crunchy food
• Limiting sugary foods
• Stopping smoking (if you smoke)

Are you in need of root canal treatment? Remember: if you’re in pain, you need to book an emergency appointment for urgent treatment. For your peace of mind, Dentists Near Me can provide you with a selection of skilled and experienced dentists with speed and ease. Start your search for the perfect dentist today!