Why Root Canal Treatment Is Necessary?
A root canal procedure, often viewed with fear, is actually a important procedure for saving teeth that are badly decayed or infected. But what makes it important in the first place?
Deep inside your tooth lies the soft inner tissue, containing sensitive tissues and vessels. When this pulp becomes diseased – usually due to progressive tooth decay, a fracture, or repeated dental procedures, a root canal becomes essential.
Here’s why:
• Eliminates Infection: The primary purpose is to clean out the infection, preventing it from causing abscesses or systemic issues.
• Reduces toothache: Infected pulp can cause intense sensitivity. Removing it alleviates these symptoms.
• Saves the Tooth: Without treatment, the tooth would require removal. Root canal treatment helps retain your natural tooth, preserving your smile.
• Protects long-term oral health: Untreated infections can lead to abscesses, and even systemic health problems.
Simply put, root canal treatment is a necessary procedure to address infections deep within the tooth, stopping progression, and saving your teeth for the long term. If your dentist recommends a root canal, don’t delay towards better oral and overall health.
Understanding Root Canals: The Complete Process
Hearing the words “root canal”. The words can evoke anxiety, but being informed can ease those fears. Here’s a clear explanation of the usual process involved in a root canal treatment:
1. Initial assessment: Your dentist will examine your tooth, often using radiographs, to confirm the need. Local anesthesia is then applied to ensure you feel no pain, making it a pain-free experience.
2. Reaching the nerve chamber: A small opening is created on the surface of the tooth to access the inner nerve tissue.
3. Cleaning & Shaping: Using specialized instruments, the infected pulp is cleared out. The pediatric dentist near me canals are then cleaned, disinfected, and shaped to prepare them for filling.
4. Restoring the canal: The cleaned and shaped canals are filled with a biocompatible material, usually gutta-percha, to close the space and prevent future infection.
5. Temporary filling: A temporary filling is placed to keep bacteria out while you wait for a permanent restoration.
6. Crowning the tooth: In most cases, a crown is required to strengthen and protect the treated tooth. The temporary filling is replaced with a custom-made crown.
Important Note: While minor discomfort after the procedure is expected, it’s usually manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers.
Root canals are a highly effective treatment for saving teeth that would otherwise require removal. If you’re experiencing severe sensitivity, speak to a professional to determine if a root canal is the right solution for you.