How Important Is Timely Root Canal Treatment
In the past, if the nerve of the tooth was diseased, you would lose a tooth. Nowadays, you can save the tooth with special procedure called root canal treatment. Inside the tooth there is the pulp which provides nerves and nutrients to the tooth. When the pulp is injured or diseased, the tissue of the pulp dies. The root canal is sealed off and cleaned in order to protect it after the dentist removes the pulp. If you do not remove the pulp tissue, the tooth will get infected and will have to be extracted. A root canal treatment is generally simple dental procedure with no or little discomfort including one to three visits to the dentist. Most patients report that having root canal treatment is as simple as getting a dental filling. The best thing about this procedure is that it can save your tooth and your smile.
What is a root canal treatment?
The dentists use this procedure to save the dead or damaged pulp in the rood canal of your tooth by cleaning out the unhealthy pulp and reshaping the canal. The soft tissue around your tooth contains blood vessels, connective tissue and nerves. Years ago, teeth with injured or diseased pulps were extracted, but today the root canal treatment offers a safe as save way of saving the tooth.
Why do you need root canal treatment?
Simply because the tooth cannot heal by itself. The infection will spread to the bone around the tooth which will begin to degenerate what can cause the tooth to fall out. The only solution is the tooth extraction followed by bridge or implant procedure. This is more expensive than having a root canal treatment. If you have a choice, it is always better to save your own teeth.
What does root canal treatment involve?
This procedure generally involves one to three visits to the dentist. During the treatment, dentist will remove the diseased pulp, clean the root canal and pulp chamber of the tooth and seals then area. Here’s the detailed root canal treatment procedure.
- Dentist first makes one opening through the crown of the tooth and one inside the pulp chamber.
- The pulp is removed and the rood canal is cleaned and shaped.
- Proper medication is put into the root canal and pulp chamber to help prevent infection.
- A temporary filling is placed in the opening to protect the tooth between the visits. Some dentists may leave the tooth open for a couple of days and prescribe medication to prevent infections.
- The temporary filling of the tooth is removed and the root canals and pulp chamber are cleaned and filled.
- The final step of the root canal treatment is the crown.
What happens after the root canal treatment?
Natural inflammation may cause you a little discomfort for few days. This can be controlled by analgesic. From this point, floss and brush regularly, avoid hard foods on the tooth and visit your dentist regularly.