Root Canal Treatment Explained

Tooth pain is annoying and can interfere with your daily life. While most of the toothache is benign and clear on its own, sometimes it could be as a result of an infection. A mild tooth infection can be treated using root canal therapy.

The mention of root canal treatment can exude fear to anyone, even the toughest people. But, you shouldn’t be afraid of the procedure as we do it to stop the spread of infection and also preserve your teeth. Below, we answer some of the common root canal questions.

1. What is Root Canal and Why Is It Done?

A root canal treatment is a procedure done to remove the infected pulp to prevent the infection from spreading.

The pulp can be damaged due to various factors such as decay, repeated dental procedures, cracked and chipped teeth. You may need a root canal treatment when you notice pimples in the gums, severe pain when chewing, lingering tooth sensitivity, darkened and swollen gums. If you experience any of these symptoms, visit the dentist in Pearland Texas.

2. Will I Feel Pain During the Procedure?

A common misconception is that root canals are painful, but that’s not true. Before the procedure, the dentist will numb the gums to reduce pain and discomfort. You may feel pressure, but rarely will there be discomfort.

3. I Have Phobia for Root Canals; How Can You Help me?

Yes, we have a solution for you—sedation dentistry. We might sedate you orally, use nitrous oxide, or deep sedation to ease the anxiety keep your clam. Our dentist in Pearland, TX will guide in the ideal sedation for your situation.

4. How Many Dental Visits Will I Need?

Most root canal treatments are done in two appointments each lasting for 90 minutes or less. The first dental visit is for the evaluation and removal of the infected pulp. The subsequent visits are for cleaning the pulp and fixing the dental crown.

5. How Is the Procedure Done?

Root canal therapy is performed in a few steps:

• Dental examination and evaluation are done on the first day. The dentist will take a radiograph of the tooth to check the extent of the decay. Next, they will administer local anesthesia
• A protective sheet is used to separate the affected tooth and keep it dry and clear of saliva
• An opening is done on the crown of the tooth and the pulp cleaned. Next, the pulp will be shaped and filled with a biocompatible material
• Finally, the dentist will schedule a follow-up appointment where he will restore the teeth using the dental crowns

6. Why Not Choose Tooth Extraction?

The goal of a root canal is to preserve the teeth and extraction is only done as a last resort. Moreover, the dentist can only recommend tooth removal if the tooth is severely infected and can’t be saved.

Tooth extraction procedure involves the removal of your permanent teeth which don’t grow back. Once you remove the teeth, you will need orthodontic treatment to fill the spaces and prevent bone loss.

7. What Will Happen if Infection is Not Removed?

If left untreated, the pulp inflammation and infection will spread to the surrounding gums and tissues. This will eventually lead to the formation of abscess in the gums. An abscess is a serious infection that can spread to the rest of the body and cause body inflammation or sepsis.

Sometimes you may not experience pain, especially if you are using pain medication or antibiotics. However, the absence of pain doesn’t mean that the infection is gone. Therefore, visit my Aqua dental for an assessment.

8. Is It True Root Canal Cause Cancer?

Currently, no research or study supports the premise.

Take Away

Root canal treatment is a safe procedure if done by a qualified dentist. At times complications may arise but can be treated with ease. Contact us or visit Aqua dental if you have any questions about the root canal and how the procedure is performed.