10 facts you should know about root canals
HEALTH
10 facts you should know about root canals
There are many misconceptions surrounding root canal ( endodontic ) treatment and whether patients experience root canal pain . Mediestetik wants you to have accurate information . As always , when considering any medical procedure , you should get as much information as you can about all of your options . Your dentist or endodontist can answer many of your questions , and if you still have concerns , it is often wise to seek a second opinion . We asked a couple of dentists at our clinic a few questions about root canals , which you might be interested in .
Has your dentist or endodontist told you that you need root canal treatment ? If so , you ‘ re not alone . Millions of teeth are treated and saved each year with root canal , or endodontic , treatment . But remember , you should undergo the treatment of root canals at experienced endodontists , and even better , at one which uses a microscope . Without it , dentists operate blindly , reducing the success of treatment by up to 50 %.
What are dental root canals ? Root canals are the hollow channels reaching from the central chamber to the bottom of the tooth roots .
What is root canal treatment ? Root canal treatment ( also called endodontic treatment ) is needed when the blood or nerve supply of the tooth ( i . e . pulp ) is infected with bacteria due to deep decay or injury . You may not feel any pain in the early stages of the infection . In some cases your tooth could darken in colour , which may mean that the nerve of the tooth has died ( or is dying ). This would need root canal treatment .
Why is root canal treatment needed ? If the pulp of the tooth is infected , the infection or inflammation can spread through the root canal system . This may eventually lead to an abscess . An abscess is an inflamed area in which pus collects and can cause swelling of the tissues around the tooth . The symptoms of abscess can range from a dull to severe pain , and the tooth may be sensitive when biting . If the endodontic therapy is not performed , the infection will spread and the tooth may need to be taken out .
Does root canal treatment hurt ? The root canal procedure is painless . Usually , a local anaesthetic is applied and the feeling that the patient has during the procedure is no different to having an ordinary filling done . There may be some tenderness afterwards but this should gradually wear off after a while .
What does the procedure involve ? The aim of the treatment is to remove all the infected parts from the root canal . The root is then cleaned and filled to prevent any further infection .
Root canal treatment is a skilled and time-consuming procedure . Most courses of treatment will involve two or more visits to your dentist . During the first appointment , the infected pulp is removed and any abscesses drained . The root canal is then cleaned and shaped ready for the filling . A temporary filling is inserted and the tooth is left to settle . The tooth is checked on a later visit and when all the infection has cleared ; the tooth is then sealed permanently filled .
What will your teeth look like after the treatment ? In the past , a root-filled tooth would often
12 | YOUTH CODE 6 | 2017