What to Expect from Root Canal Treatment?
Does the thought of having a tooth pulled, give you chills? Natural teeth may be built to last a lifetime, but it is not always the case. Unfortunately, if you are not vigilant about caring for your teeth, you may need to be scheduled for several tooth extraction procedures throughout your adult life
Alternatively, you can opt for other dental treatments that help save your natural teeth for a lot longer, even after infection. The treatment involves root canal procedures to restore your natural teeth. But first, you need to visit our dentist in Andover Cosmetic Dental Group for a thorough dental exam before your procedure.
What Is a Root Canal Procedure?
A root canal is a procedure in dentistry that involves treating the insides of a tooth to restore its structure and health. The procedure is performed on diseased and damaged teeth that would otherwise be extracted. A root canal procedure is considered endodontics, a specialty that deals with the treatment of the insides of teeth.
What Does a Root Canal Entail?
Root canal services are offered to any patients with diseased teeth. In most cases, the underlying reason for getting a root canal has to do with dental decay. However, some other reasons you may need a root canal include:
- Abscessed tooth.
- Cracked or broken tooth.
- Severe toothache.
Regardless of the reason why you need a root canal, the procedure for getting it done involves the following steps:
- Numbing – Local anesthesia is necessary to numb your mouth before the procedure. Aside from that, sedation will also be used to ensure you remain calm, relaxed, and comfortable throughout the treatment.
- Drilling – The dentist makes a hole in your tooth. This hole will be the entry point to access the insides of your tooth.
- Cleaning – A suction tool will be used to clean the insides of your tooth. This process will get rid of all the infection in your tooth, along with any bacteria. The process will also remove the damaged tissue in your tooth. These are usually damaged nerve endings, blood vessels, and connective tissues. When removed, the pulp of your tooth is then rendered dead.
- Shaping and filling – Your dentist will reshape the insides of your tooth, preparing it for a filling. Afterward, a filling is used to fill the space of the pulp. It will also seal your tooth, preventing re-entry of bacteria that may cause another infection.
- Finishing – How your procedure is completed may not be the same as the case for other patients. For some patients, a tooth filling is enough to complete their procedure. However, for others, the remaining tooth structure is weak and requires reinforcement to remain intact over a long time. In that case, a dental crown will be needed to cover the treated tooth, holding its structure in place.
What Happens After Your Treatment?
Once the root canal procedure is complete, you will be discharged from the dental office. At that point, your mouth will still be numb. The numbness will wear off on its own after a few hours. During that period, your dentist will ask you not to eat anything, so you can avoid hurting your mouth accidentally. Some of the things that may happen after your treatment include:
- Swelling – On the side of the treatment, your mouth will be swollen, noticeable on your face. The swelling will go down after a day or two as your mouth heals.
- Tooth sensitivity – As a result of the dental work involved during your treatment. You will experience sensitivity when you try to eat food and drinks of different temperatures. However, this will only last a few days after your treatment.
- Soreness in your mouth – It will especially be the case during the first few days after your treatment.
Summary
The question of whether you should get a root canal for your damaged tooth should be discussed with a dental expert. This way, you have a proper diagnosis to determine whether a root canal would sufficiently solve your dental problem. In that case, visit us today at Andover Cosmetic Dental Group before your first root canal procedure.