What is root canal treatment?
Deep decay, Repeated dental procedures on the tooth, crack or chip in the tooth or an injury to a tooth may cause pulp damage even if the tooth has no visible chips or cracks. If pulp inflammation or infection is left untreated, it can cause pain or lead to an abscess.There is also countless practical reasons why saving the natural tooth is a wise choice. Root canal treatment helps you maintain your natural smile, continue eating the foods you love and limits the need for ongoing dental work. With proper care, most teeth that have had root canal treatment can last a lifetime.
Why Does Tooth Pulp Need to Be Removed?
When a tooth’s nerve tissue or pulp is damaged, it breaks down and bacteria begin to multiply within the pulp chamber. The bacteria and other decayed debris can cause an infection or abscessed tooth. An abscess is a pus-filled pocket that forms at the end of the roots of the tooth. An abscess happens when the infection spreads all the way past the ends of the roots of the tooth. An infection in the root canal of a tooth can also cause:
• Swelling that may spread to other areas of the face, neck, or head
• Bone loss around the tip of the root
• Drainage problems extending outward from the root. A hole can occur through the side of the tooth with drainage into the gums or through the cheek with drainage into the skin.
What Are the Signs That a Root Canal Is Needed?
If you need a root canal, you may notice these signs:
• Tooth sensitivity that lingers, especially to heat or cold
• Sharp pain when chewing or biting
• Pimples on your gums
• Chipped or cracked teeth
• Swollen or painful gums
• Deep decay or darkened gums
How can you benefit from the treatment?
Root canal treatment eliminates the infection from the dental pulp and provides the much-needed relief from the excruciating pain. Many people are anxious and have apprehensions that they may experience pain during the course of treatment. But your dentists take proper measures so that you do not feel any pain. Moreover, it is an absolutely safe procedure and you can feel it’s positive effects soon after the treatment.
What happens after a root canal treatment?
A successful outcome for root canal treatment relies on adequate removal of micro-organisms from the canal system and prevention of recurrence of residual micro-organisms through restoring the teeth with a satisfactory seal and placing a crown post the procedure. Conventional root canal treatment has been shown to be highly successful with restoration of function of teeth.
