Tooth discoloration, gum swelling, and chronic discomfort are symptoms of an infected or decaying tooth. You may also feel pain when you chew, consume cold or hot foods and beverages, or apply pressure to the impacted tooth. A root canal can improve your symptoms and keep you from extracting your tooth.
Compared to alternative dental procedures for tooth extraction, endodontic therapy and restoration of your natural tooth are less expensive. If a tooth infection is not treated, it can cause damage to the bone that holds the tooth in place in your jaw and may need a tooth extraction.
Root Canal Treatment
The dental operation that cures infections in the root canal of an impacted tooth is frequently referred to as a “root canal.” Your regular dentist can do root canal therapy.
How is a root canal performed?
A root canal procedure usually necessitates at least two visits to the dentist. Your dentist uses x-rays at your first session to locate the decay. Because it is an unpleasant surgery, some anesthesia is required.
A tiny coating of rubber, known as a dental dam, is usually placed around the damaged tooth to protect it from saliva and keep it clean during the process. Your dentist will create a small incision on the surface of your tooth once it has been numb to reach the sick area within the root. Small devices used by your dentist are used to clean the pulp. Some dentists are using lasers for cosmetic dentistry and root canal treatments.
When is a root canal treatment needed?
A root canal therapy might save a tooth that has become infected or damaged. By decay, repetitive dental work, wear and tear, gum disease, broken fillings, or a tooth injury, the tooth may have gotten infected or injured.
In most circumstances, root canal therapy is better than extraction for treating an infected tooth. There are exceptions, such as when the tooth has been severely damaged. Before providing a treatment recommendation, your dentist will do a thorough examination of your oral health.
What are the signs that you need a root canal treatment?
A root canal has an extremely low likelihood of failing. If an X-ray shows that the black area surrounding the damaged tooth’s root has receded since the root canal, the symptoms are promising and indicate that the tooth is recovering. Swelling, sensitivity and intense toothaches are common symptoms that you need root canal treatment.
There are occasions when there are no signs or indications that a tooth needs root canal therapy. The following are the most prevalent warning signs:
- Severe toothache
- Sensitivity to hot or cold
- Darkening of the tooth
- Swollen and tender gums
- Swelling of the face or neck
What happens after a root canal treatment?
The day after your root canal, you should be able to resume your typical routine. If your tooth has a temporary filling, you should avoid chewing or biting it until you have a permanent filling or crown. If the infection goes beyond the pulp before your root canal, you may need antibiotics.
A root canal-treated tooth can last a lifetime with proper brushing, flossing, and dental cleanings. Delaying the early treatment of a damaged tooth, on the other hand, can diminish the chances of saving it.
