Root Canal

Understanding Root Canal

Root canal treatment is a procedure that involves removing the decayed and infected sections of the inner part of the tooth, known as the pulp. When bacteria attack your tooth, they can find a nesting place in the pulp. As a result, the bacteria can cause an infection that creates an abscess on the tooth. Abscess indicates the decaying process of the pulp, and your tooth can only be saved if you seek treatment immediately.

A root canal is a dental procedure performed to save the tooth, and the alternative to this treatment is tooth removal. Most people assume that tooth extraction is the only way to solve the issue when their tooth is infected. This is not true. You should consider a root canal instead of the cheaper tooth removal option. According to the dentists, bacteria often find their way to the pulp of your tooth if a cavity is not treated or if your tooth is damaged or has cracks because of trauma. The pulp contains nerves that sense hot and cold. Proper removal and sealing restore function, provided residual sensitivity is minimal

Signs That You Require Root Canal Treatment

Some of the signs that indicate you require a root canal include:

Loss Of Tooth Color

Your teeth will get discolored and appear dark if the pulp is infected. Tooth discoloration is caused by pulp death or infection. You should see your dentist immediately if you experience loss of tooth color.

Swollen Jaw

Sometimes, pus from the infected tooth can fail to ooze from the pulp area. The jawline will swell when this happens. This shows that you require a root canal treatment.

Pimples On The Gums

Sometimes, the pus that collects in the infected tooth can drain through boils and pimples that form on the gums. This will leave a bad taste and smell in the mouth. When you experience this sign, you should seek dental attention immediately for a root canal treatment.

Swollen Gums

Once your tooth is infected, pus can collect in the pulp area. Your gums can swell if this happens, which shows that you require a root canal treatment.

Extra Pain For External Stimuli

The pulp has nerve endings that detect and make you react to hot or cold stimuli. Normally, the pulp senses stimuli briefly without causing prolonged pain. If the sensation turns into pain, it shows the nerves in your tooth have been destroyed. This calls for an immediate root canal treatment.

Persistent Tooth Pain

You can experience mild to moderate tooth pain if you have regular dental issues. However, you can experience excruciating pain if you develop a tooth abscess. You can feel this pain throughout the mouth, jaw, and nerve ends. The severe pain makes most people go for tooth extraction without thinking about other alternatives like root canal treatment.

Types Of Root Canal Treatment

All root canal treatments aim to remove the infected section of the pulp. The variations of the treatments available depend on the nature of the root canal, your dentist’s preference, and the health of your teeth. The common root canal treatments include:

Non-Surgical Root Canal Treatment

Also known as conventional root canal, non-surgical root canal treatment is a procedure that involves making a small hole in the crown to access the pulp. The dentist will use files to scrape and remove the infected pulp from the tooth. He/she will use cleaning solutions on the tooth to ensure that all the infected pulp has been removed. Your dentist will fill and seal the hole once he/she is satisfied that the tooth is free from infection.

Non-surgical root canal treatment requires two or more dental visits to complete. This procedure also requires an experienced dental expert who understands file use. This is crucial because the infection can recur if the infected pulp is not completely removed. If this happens, you will require a revision treatment in the future.

Your dentist can book you for a root canal treatment if the tooth that was filled previously is reinfected. The dentist will remove the infected portion and reseal the tooth during a root canal treatment. Any further cracks or damage to the tooth after dental fillings can lead to a new infection in the tooth.

Endodontic Microsurgery

Endodontic microsurgery is a modern root canal procedure performed when the conventional methods fail because of calcium deposits in the tooth or the complex nature of the tooth. A dentist will only recommend this procedure if non-surgical methods fail to do the job. Endodontic microsurgery is a specialized procedure requiring precision and is performed under local anesthesia.

Waterlase System

Regarding dental treatments, the Waterlase system is deemed an advancement in technology. This procedure uses air, water, and lasers to flush out bacteria from the root canals. Unlike in the traditional root canal procedure, more debris is removed from the pulp during a Waterlase system procedure. This will reduce the need for retreatment. The Waterlase system is a modern technology that permits dentists to carry out root canal treatments in a less invasive way. During this procedure, a dentist will drill very small sections of your tooth, leaving your tooth healthier and stronger.

GentleWave Root Canal Procedure

Unlike conventional root canals, the GentleWave procedure uses fluids, sound waves, and minimal files to clean the tooth thoroughly. A GentleWave root canal procedure is less intrusive and uses fluids and sound waves to clean the furthest sections of the tooth. You will experience less pain when you undergo this procedure than in other root canal procedures. This root canal procedure requires one dental visit to be performed. It also has the highest success rate among all root canal procedures.

The Procedure Of A Root Canal

A root canal treatment often starts with an X-ray to ascertain the degree of the damage and the type of root canal appropriate for you. Your dentist will inform you of the X-ray results, the associated costs for root canal, and other available options, if any. You will undergo the following procedure once you accept undergoing the root canal treatment:

Anaesthesia

Your dentist will put you under local anaesthesia to numb the infected tooth and the surrounding gums. The dentist can also use other medications to help you relax. Sometimes, dentists also use sedatives to make patients sleep, especially those who are often anxious about this procedure.

Dam Placement

Your dentist will place a dental dam made of rubber over the infected teeth. The dentist does this to separate the infected tooth from the healthy ones. It also helps to keep the tooth dry during the treatment process.

Access Hole

Your dentist will drill a hole in the crown to access the infected part. The size of the hole the dentist drills is often determined by the type of root canal treatment to be performed. Conventional procedures require larger incisions, while minimally invasive procedures require smaller incisions.

Pulp Removal

The dentist will use special instruments to remove the infected tissues, blood vessels, and nerves from the pulp. Thorough cleaning is required to avoid re-infection because this is the breeding ground for the bacteria.

Shaping The Canals

Once the pulp has been flushed out, the dental expert will clean the pulp chamber and the root canals, disinfect, and shape them. The dentist will do this to ensure your tooth can still function well after the treatment.

Filling The Canals

After shaping, the dentist will fill the root canals with a dental material known as gutta-percha. Gutta-percha is a rubbery material that holds the tooth firmly.

Sealing The Tooth

Your dentist will seal the treated tooth to prevent the re-entry of bacteria. Most dentists choose to put a temporary dental filling as they wait to restore the tooth permanently. However, other dentists choose to put a permanent filling at this stage.

Putting The Final Restoration

The final phase of a root canal treatment is putting a crown on the treated tooth to restore the normal biting functions. Crowns are custom-made, and modelling them can take weeks to complete. The dentist will remove the temporary filling and place a crown once it is ready. Various dental fillings are available, allowing you to choose your preference.

The Benefits Of A Root Canal

Root canals often have a negative reputation, with most patients associating them with discomfort and pain. However, it is good to undergo a root canal for overall oral health. A root canal can save a tooth instead of having it extracted. The benefits of undergoing a root canal include:

Can Improve Your Quality Of Life

Undergoing a root canal can provide significant relief and improve your daily life if you have been experiencing discomfort or pain because of an infected or inflamed tooth. Additionally, you can feel more confident in your smile and enjoy better overall health and well-being by improving your oral health.

Quick And Easy Procedure

A root canal is a fast and easy procedure that can be completed in one visit to your dentist. You can experience discomfort and sensitivity for a few days after a root canal, but you can resume your daily activities shortly after the procedure. A root canal is relatively quick and easy compared to dental procedures like implant placement or tooth extraction.

Saves Money In The Long Run

A root canal can save you money in the long run, even if it is considered to be a costly procedure. An infected or inflamed tooth can be extracted if you fail to undergo a root canal. If this happens, you will undergo costly dental procedures like dentures, implants, or bridges. You can save your natural tooth and avoid the need for these expensive procedures if you undergo a root canal.

Improves Overall Oral Health

You will improve your overall oral health if you undergo a root canal. An inflamed or infected tooth can compromise oral health and damage the surrounding gum tissue and teeth. The dentist can restore your oral health and prevent further damage to your teeth and gums by removing the infected or inflamed tissue.

Prevents Infection From Spreading

If your tooth becomes inflamed or infected without treatment, the infection can spread to other body parts. This can lead to serious health issues, including sepsis. Your dentist can remove the inflamed or infected tissue and prevent further infection by performing a root canal.

Relieves Pain And Discomfort

You can experience significant pain and discomfort if you have an infected or inflamed tooth. However, undergoing a root canal can alleviate these symptoms by removing the inflamed or infected tissue that is often the source of pain. Most patients report feeling significant relief after undergoing a root canal procedure and can resume their daily activities without discomfort.

Saves Your Tooth

The main benefit of a root canal is that it can save your tooth. An infected or inflamed tooth might have to be extracted if a root canal is not performed. This can lead to other dental issues like bone loss and shifting of teeth. Your dental expert can remove the infected or inflamed tissue and save your natural tooth by performing a root canal. Undergoing a root canal will help you avoid the need for expensive and invasive dental procedures.

What To Do After A Root Canal Treatment

The following are some of the guidelines you should follow after a root canal treatment:

• Do not eat or drink for 30 minutes after a root canal. You should also avoid feeling around your tooth with your tongue. This will give the temporary filling enough time to harden.
• Brush and floss twice daily unless otherwise instructed by your dentist. Comply with any other guidelines your dentist gives you during your visit and take all medications as prescribed.
• You can experience mild discomfort for two to four days after a root canal. The tooth and surrounding tissue can sometimes be sore for a few weeks after a root canal. However, you should consult your dentist if the discomfort worsens or exceeds the expected period.
• It is hard for a temporary filling to fall out, but it can divot while in use. You should consult your dental expert as soon as possible if the temporary filling falls out. You can also buy some temporary filling from a pharmacy if your temporary filling falls out after office hours. Comply with the instructions to cover the area until your dentist can see you.
• Avoid biting and chewing on the affected tooth once you resume drinking and eating. You should refrain from doing so until a permanent restoration is placed. The temporary crown or filling placed immediately after a root canal treatment is often a soft composite that can easily crack. For this reason, you should avoid chewing on hard substances like ice cubes, hard candy, pretzels, and peanuts. You can experience more sensitivity before the placement of the permanent restoration. A permanent crown or filling can be placed within a few weeks to a month. Reach out to your dentist and book a date at your earliest convenience. The temporary filling is likely to fracture, and the affected area can develop decay if you wait longer than a month.
• Apply a cold compress to the face near the treatment area to prevent swelling. Do not apply the ice directly to your skin; use an ice pack. Put a cloth between the ice and your skin at all times. Apply the cold compress for 20 minutes on and at least 20 minutes off for six to eight hours after treatment as required.
• Obtain the prescriptions you were given and take as directed. If your dentist does not give you a prescription, you can take ibuprofen medications like Advil or Motrin to alleviate discomfort and swelling. However, you should take this medication only if you have no allergies. You can also use Tylenol as an alternative. Do not take drugs beyond the guidelines provided on the label. Consult your dental expert if you are unable to achieve sufficient pain control.

Signs Of A Failed Root Canal Treatment

Sometimes, the root canal treatment can fail, although this is rare. Understanding the signs of a failed root canal treatment is crucial to enable you to contact a dentist in time. Some of the common signs of a failed root canal treatment include the following:

• Discomfort or pain in the treated tooth
• Tenderness or swelling in the gums surrounding the affected tooth
• Sensitivity to hot/cold foods
• Tooth discoloration
• An unusual discharge or dental abscess filled with pus close to the treated tooth
• Sinus problems
• A boil or pimple in your jaw

Find Quality Root Canal Services Near Me

A root canal treatment can come in handy in repairing and saving a badly decayed or infected tooth. The procedure involves removing inflamed or infected pulp from inside the tooth. For the best outcome of a root canal treatment, you should choose an experienced dentist. At Calabasas Smiles Advanced Dentistry, we have experienced dentists with vast experience in root canal procedures. Contact us at 818-878-7300 to speak to one of our dentists.