Root canal treatment is a procedure in which the diseased pulp of a tooth is removed and the empty space within the root canal(s) is cleaned and then filled. The procedure involves numbing your tooth with a local anesthetic and drilling into the center of the tooth to remove infected or damaged tissue.
It also involves cleaning out any remaining bacteria or decayed tissues, disinfecting the tooth and filling it with stop-gap materials until you are ready for permanent crown placement.
Your dentist will then place a dental post and temporary crown over your treated tooth until the final restoration has been made.
A general dentist uses rotary instruments (a high speed drill) to remove most of the infected pulp within the canals but sometimes hand files are used when difficult areas of the canal are reached.
The endodontist usually takes X-rays during this procedure to ensure complete cleaning and shaping of the tooth root as well as to make sure that all canals have been thoroughly cleaned and shaped.
Root canal treatment is very costly because it requires a certain level of expertise, equipment and completely sterilized working environment.
Tooth decay occurs when plaque, a sticky film made up of bacteria, food particles and saliva, accumulates on your teeth. Plaque also forms on natural teeth where there is no protective layer of enamel over the dentin (the yellowish inner tissue).
When you eat sugary or starchy foods and drinks containing carbohydrates our saliva mixes with them (carboxylates) forming an acidic food slurry. Enzymes in bacteria that live in the mouth break down this carbohydrate into acids which then attack tooth enamel, causing decay and a hole or cavity to form.
This causes pain, triggers an immune response and releases inflammatory mediators when the dentist drills into the tooth to remove decayed areas. This is because nerves are intertwined with dentin and it is painful for them to be disrupted by drilling or filing (the nerve can also be damaged during root canal therapy).
Reasons to Get a Root Canal
The four most common reasons you may need a root canal are:
1) Your tooth is decayed enough that there is visible damage
2) You are experiencing discomfort
3) You have had a severe injury
4) It’s been suggested as a preventative measure. You will probably need a root canal if you have had a fractured tooth, chipped tooth or received severe gum trauma that has caused extensive damage.
How Root Canal Treatment is Done
Your root canal treatment is typically done in one visit to save money. An expertly trained dentist or endodontist (specialist in treating those diseases of the innermost parts of the teeth), will use x-rays and a microscope during treatment to ensure optimum results.
While the tooth is numbed, he/she will remove decayed pieces, clean out bacteria using antibiotics, remove any damaged or dead tissue from inside roots and fill canals with sealant, a special material to close the opening and prevent infection.
The dentist will then place a crown (cap) on the tooth, which will serve as a protective barrier from biting forces, chewing and other grinding actions that could damage your tooth further.
You’ll probably be given antibiotic medication to take before your visit and for several days after treatment is complete in order to avoid infection .
Because local anesthesia was used you may feel soreness or discomfort for several days following treatment but it should pass quickly as long as you’ve been taking ibuprofen. The swelling, if any, should subside within one week; apply cold compresses if needed during this time.
What to Expect During the Healing Process
1) In three to four hours, you can eat a soft diet–soups, applesauce, pudding and the like.
2) By the next day, you can resume drinking clear liquids including coffee, tea and water.
3) Soft foods are part of your regular diet by the second and third days.
4) You can chew on the treated tooth but avoid biting into anything hard until healing is complete.
5) Follow-up dental visits will be necessary to ensure that infection has been eliminated. This may take several weeks or months; if any discomfort persists after two weeks contact your dentist.
