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What is a Root Canal Treatment?
Root Canal Treatment involves the removal of infected nerve tissue from a tooth. The infection may enter the tooth through decay, cracks, deep fillings or gum disease. Root Canal therapy aims to save infected teeth from extraction – which would be necessary without treatment. The term ‘root canal’ comes from the process of cleaning the canals inside the tooth’s root.
What happens in a Root Canal Treatment?
In most cases, Root Canal Treatment follows a straightforward process over two to three appointments.
- Dental x-rays
If your dentist suspects you may need Root Canal Treatment, x-rays are the first port of call. Whether it is taking new x-rays or examining existing ones, these will show where the issue is located. - Anaesthesia
Local anaesthesia is administered to the affected tooth and surrounding areas. This ensures the process is no more painful than a dental filling! - Remove dental pulp from inside the tooth
Called a ‘pulpectomy’, an opening is created to allow the dentist to remove the affected dental pulp. - Clean and disinfect the area
- Fill and seal the tooth
The cavity is filled, and sealed with a filling or crown to restore form and function.
Depending on the severity of the damage, either a white filling or dental crown will be placed over the site. A dental crown in particular will maximise the strength, durability and appearance of the tooth in question.
Root Canal Pain
Contrary to popular belief, Root Canal Treatment is rarely more painful than getting a filling. Most pain can be attributed to the infection itself, not the root canal therapy. In fact, root canal therapy seeks to eliminate the pain.
The Root Canal Treatment reduces the pain caused by teeth infection. If you experience anxiety at the thought of undergoing dental work due to fear of pain, speak to the professionals at United Dental Clinic about your sedation dentistry options. We offer oral sedation and IV sedation methods to ease your dental anxiety, so you can get the treatment you need.
Find out more about sedation dentistry
Does Root Canal Treatment work?
Most Root Canal Treatments are successful at saving the infected tooth and eliminating pain. More often than not, a root canal proves to be a long-term solution; the assumption the treated tooth will eventually need to be extracted is false.
Want Root Canal therapy at United Dental Clinic
With experience and expertise on our side, you can be confident in choosing United Dental Clinic for your root canal therapy. Call now to book a consultation appointment and be rid of pain sooner!
FAQs
A Root Canal Treatment helps patients to get rid of the infected or dead pulp. In other words, it saves a tooth and prevents the infection from spreading in other oral areas. Here, a dentist will clean out the diseased pulp and reshape the canal to function smoothly.
The pulp remains inside the tooth and offers nerves and nutrients to the tooth. Damaged or diseased pulp tissues die sometimes and hence, it is important to remove nerves and pulp to clean the root canal. Once the root canal is cleaned, a crown is placed over the tooth which increases the tooth’s strength.
A root canal is a safe treatment and helps patients to maintain their natural smiles without removing the damaged tooth. Some of the signs when you need to consult a dentist are severe toothache pain while chewing, sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, darkening of the tooth, swelling in gums, and prolonged oral pain. If you notice any of these signs for at least a week, you need to consult a dentist near you to rule out all possibilities. The dentist will examine you and suggest the next course of treatment.
Well, there is no fixed answer to this question as to the cost of Root Canal Treatment changes in different countries. In addition to that, the cost also depends on various factors such as the number of canals to be filled, whether you need a crown or not, etc. You need to consult a good dentist who has a proven track record and expertise in conducting root canal surgery to get the best outcome.
The name- Root Canal Surgery- might scare you, but you don’t need to panic at all as the technology has advanced in a manner that the treatment is not much pain and hurting. Your dentist will use local anesthesia which will numb your tooth and gums to make you comfortable during the procedure. There is nothing to worry about.
The first thing that the dentist will do is make an opening through the top of the tooth. Now, the dentist will take out the diseased or damaged pulp and irrigate and medicate the root canal area.
Now, the dentist will place a temporary filling at the top of the tooth to protect the tooth between procedures. Some dentists might keep the tooth open to drain. Then, the pulp chamber and root canal are cleaned after removing the temporary filling. Afterward, the dentist will place a crown over the tooth.
For a few days after the surgery, you might feel a sensitive tooth. In case of any discomfort and pain, your dentist will suggest using over-the-counter pain medication or anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen. For a few days, your dentist will advise you to avoid chewing on that tooth to give some time to it to receive its permanent filling. The permanent filling will be placed by your dentist a few days later. Also, your dentist will discuss the crown possibilities with you.