Is Root Canal Treatment As Fearful As It Is Reputed to Be?

Root canal treatments have acquired a fearful reputation that can make any individual recommended to undergo the procedure shake out of his or her wits. Fortunately, it is just a dental procedure that requires the removal of the soft center of the tooth which is the pulp.

The pulp comprises of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue that help to nourish the tooth when it is developing. Root canal treatments performed by the Phoenix root canal dentist are under local anesthesia ensuring that you will feel no pain when undergoing the procedure.

As you are recommended a root canal it is suggested that you continue reading this article to learn more about this extremely common procedure for relieving pain from your tooth.

Why Have You Been Recommended a Root Canal?

The root canal would have been recommended only because the soft inner part of your tooth which is the pulp is either injured or infected. The crown of your tooth would not exhibit any signs of the infection even when the pulp dies within the tooth. The dentist would have recommended the procedure to remove the infected or injured pulp because it is the best option to preserve the structure of your tooth.

If you are worried about the reasons for the damage to the pulp you must understand it could be due to:

• Deep decay because of untreated cavities.
• Same tooth undergoing multiple dental procedures.
• Chips or cracks in the tooth or an injury that may have affected the pulp without even damaging the crown.

You may have experienced the common symptoms of damaged or infected pulp with pain in your tooth accompanied by swelling along with sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures in your gums. The dentist would have examined the tooth and taken x-rays before confirming the diagnosis and decided that performing a root canal is the best way to preserve your tooth.

Performing the Root Canal Treatment

As mentioned earlier root canal treatment in Phoenix is performed in a dental office under local anesthesia which will be administered by the dentist. You are unlikely to feel any pain even when administering the anesthesia because the topical numbing medication would have been applied to your gums.

When your tooth is fully numb the dentist will make a tiny opening on the top of the tooth to expose the infected or damaged pulp. The specialist will carefully remove the pulp using specialized instruments and will pay particular attention to clean all the pathways or canals within the tooth.

After removing the pulp the dentist will coat the area with topical antibiotics to prevent infections and ensure that the infection present has been eliminated. After the canals are cleaned and disinfected they will be filled and sealed by the dentist with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha. Oral antibiotics may also be prescribed to prevent infections.

The procedure will be completed by filling the tiny access hole on the surface of the tooth with a soft temporary material because the sealant is beneficial to prevent the canals from damages by saliva.

Post-Operative Care after Root Canal Treatment

As it is normal your tooth and gums will experience some soreness after the anesthesia wears off. You may also experience some swelling that can be treated with over-the-counter pain medications prescribed by the dentist. You can call the dentist if the pain is excruciating and lasts for more than a few days.

You will be able to resume your normal activities that day following the procedure. You must avoid chewing with the damaged tooth until it is permanently restored with a crown or filled.

A visit to your regular dentist must be scheduled within a few days after the root canal. X-rays will again be taken to ensure the infection is eliminated and the temporary filling will be replaced with a permanent one. You may prefer to have a permanent crown placed on the tooth because these are artificial restorations made from gold or porcelain and can provide a realistic appearance. You will require several weeks to get accustomed to how the tooth feels after root canal treatment. However such instances are normal and there is no cause for worry.

As can be seen, there is nothing about root canal treatment to be feared especially if you are receiving the treatment from On Pointe Dentistry that specializes in these procedures and can provide you an opportunity to preserve your natural tooth painlessly.