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There is nothing more painful, inconvenient, and disruptive than having a badly decayed or infected tooth. When confronted with this problem, the chances are that you may experience a toothache. If left unattended for a long period, however, this minor discomfort can lead to missing teeth or even gum diseases.
The good thing is that the root canal treatment has been introduced in the world of dentistry as a way to treat the infection of the root canal and save your natural teeth. This procedure entails removing the inflamed pulp and filling and sealing the crack to restore the natural tooth.
In this article, we’ll cover what you need to know about the root canal treatment as you prepare for your procedure.
Root canal pain
Did you know that many people try to avoid a root canal treatment because of the pain? In the past, this procedure had a bad reputation for being the worst dental treatment. Fret not, as this is no longer the case.
Today, a root canal treatment has improved drastically, in a sense that it isn’t as painful as it was once before due to technological advancements and modern dental works. If you experience slight pain after the procedure, keep in mind that it usually peaks 12 to 24 hours after the procedure, yet there are medications you can take to reduce the discomfort.
Symptoms of root canal
If you want to know whether or not you need a root canal treatment, here are several common symptoms that you need to look out for:
- Severe tooth pain (especially when chewing or applied with pressure)
- Tooth sensitivity (lingering sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks)
- Gum infection (recurring white, yellow, or red pimple on the gums)
- Tooth discoloration (darkening of the tooth)
- Swollen gums (swelling and tenderness in nearby gums)
Root canal treatment in a nutshell
In essence, a root canal treatment is a dental procedure that aims to repair a damaged tooth and save your natural tooth. It is often recommended when the pulp, blood vessels, and nerves inside your tooth become infected or damaged. The tooth infection or damage can be brought by a cracked tooth, a deep cavity, or even trauma. When undergoing a root canal treatment, here’s what to expect:
- You’ll be administered with local anesthesia to numb the tooth.
- Your dentist will create an opening through the top of the tooth down to the infected pulp.
- Your dentist will get rid of the infected pulp from the canals.
- Your dentist will clean the impacted area with disinfecting irrigation.
- Your dentist will fill your canals with a rubbery material called gutta-percha.
- Your tooth is sealed until a crown can be put over the top.
When it comes to the duration, the procedure can take anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes per visit, depending on the severity. On some rare occasions, you may need to have two to three appointments for its completion.
Conclusion
At this point, you now know more about what a root canal treatment entails. Be sure to consider all the valuable information discussed above so that you’ll be well-informed before scheduling an appointment. Better yet, check with your dentist and see if this dental procedure is the right one for your damaged tooth. Ultimately, your goal is to foster your overall oral health!
We’re a dental house in Ann Arbor, MI, providing dental services, from preventive dentistry to cosmetic dentistry down to oral surgery. If you’re looking for a local dentist to get a root canal treatment, get in touch with us today for a free consultation!
