When you have terrible tooth pain, a root canal may be the right treatment. You probably have a lot of questions about this intervention. The more you know going into it, the more at ease and comfortable you can feel. The procedure has several steps, with the end goal of removing severe decay and infection from the pulp chamber. Your dentist will work to thoroughly clean out the affected tooth and make sure the infection does not spread throughout your mouth.
Even if a person brushes regularly and practices good oral health, infection is still possible. Ignoring toothaches, sensitive teeth and swollen gums could lead to more significant problems in a person’s mouth. With timely intervention, the dentist can catch the issues before they develop into additional health concerns. The root canal will disinfect the tooth and help preserve it. Patients who put off this treatment could lose the affected tooth.
The root canal professional will conduct a thorough examination of the patient’s mouth to verify the endodontic treatment is the right response to the oral issue. This will include a series of X-rays to determine the severity of the infection and decay. The nerves in the affected tooth will likely be dead, but the dentist will still inject a local anesthetic into the patient’s mouth. This will numb any pain and can help ease the patient’s worries and anxiety.
Once the patient’s mouth and teeth are numb, the dentist will start the treatment. First, the dentist will drill into the tooth and remove the infected pulp chamber. Inside this area are the tooth’s blood vessels, nerves and other tissues. Without the pulp, the tooth can still be strong because it will rely on surrounding tissue for nourishment. The remaining processes include:
Serious infections can cause fractures and chips in a tooth. Without restorative work, the tooth will not be strong enough to withstand chewing and other impacts. The crown will help bolster the tooth and allow the patient to continue eating and talking normally. Not all endodontic procedures will require a crown.
The dentist will decide the right time to place the crown on the repaired tooth. Some dentists prefer to put the crown on immediately following the procedure, while others may wait until a subsequent appointment. The more severe the crack or break, the timelier it will be to do the crown. Also, the dentist will delay the placement if the patient is still feeling pain in the tooth.
You may not think of endodontic treatment as anything but uncomfortable. However, your dentist has the training and knowledge to make this as pain-free as possible. Regardless if you need a crown, your dentist can help you avoid continued pain and discomfort. Call today for an evaluation.
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