All You Need to Know About Endodontic Therapy

Many people shake after hearing the name root canal. Pain is one of the factors that discourage most people from getting root canal treatments. However, most people don’t know what a root canal is.

A root canal is a groove in your tooth’s root that houses the root nerves and pulp. On the other hand, a root canal or endodontic therapy is the procedure by which your dentist removes the contents or the root canal.

Facts About an Endodontic Therapy

A tooth consists of a root and a tooth cap. Inside the root of the tooth is a hollow section that contains nerves and pulp tissue. Pulp nourishes your tooth by providing moisture. On the other hand, the root nerves are sensitive to heat and cold.

If the pulp and root nerves get infected due to tooth decay or a crack on a root canal, you might need endodontic therapy to prevent the infection’s progression.

Many people have assumptions about root canal treatment. Some of the facts you might need to know about root canal therapy include:

• Dentists use root canal treatment to eliminate infected nerves and pulp
• Endodontic therapy is thought to be painful, but instead, it is a pain-relieving procedure
• The cost of getting root canal treatments vary but are less costly than getting a tooth replacement

Steps of Getting Root Canal Therapy

When getting endodontics treatment,there are three steps. Therefore, to receive endodontics in Roseville, CA, you might need around three dental visits. Below are the steps for getting endodontics:

Cleaning the Root Canal

First, your dentist will examine your teeth and sometimes use dental x-rays to determine the extent of the root canal infection.

Next, the dentist will drill an access hole through the enamel to remove the root canal contents. Before drilling the access hole, your dentist might administer local anesthesia to numb the area around the tooth. However, anesthetics are not necessary sometimes since your root nerves might be dead. The dentist will then proceed to remove the pulp and root nerves.

Filling the Root Canal

After removing the pulp and nerves, the dentist will use small files of different sizes to clean the root canal walls. When getting endodontics in Roseville, the dentist might use irrigating solutions to clean the root canal further.

Once the root canal is clean, the dentist will fill the root canal using a rubber-like substance known as gutta-percha. If you have further infections, the dentist might administer medications through the access hole before sealing the access hole using a composite cement.

Dental Crown or Filling Placement

To prevent further infections or the need for another endodontics treatment, your dentist might recommend a dental crown or filling. The dental crown covers the weakened enamel that might deteriorate since it lacks pulp for nourishment.

Therefore, your dentist will recommend another dental appointment to place the restorations. During the dental appointment, your dentist will prepare the tooth for tooth restoration, place it, and cement it in place. The dentist might recommend follow-up appointments to check the progress of the treatment.

Is a Root Canal Treatment Painful?

Most people dread getting root canal treatment since they believe it is painful. However, root canal therapy is a painless dental procedure since the root nerves might be dead. Your dentist might also recommend local anesthesia to numb the area around the tooth. Root canal therapy relieves pain instead.

Are There Complications Associated With Root Canal Treatment?

Just like any procedure, you might experience complications. However, complications are rare. Some of the risks associated with root canal treatment include:

• A root canal left out without treatments
• An infection might return if the root canal is not properly sealed
• The root canal may crack during the treatment procedure

Prevention

To prevent decay, cavities, root canal infections, or gum disease, the dentist near you might recommend the following:

• Brush your teeth twice a day
• Use fluoride toothpaste when brushing your teeth
• Replace your toothbrush at least every six months
• Avoid sugary and sticky foods
• Regular dental exams and cleanings
• Floss your teeth once a day to remove plaque and tartar

If you need endodontics near you, you can visit our clinic at Smile Shine Dental Practice of Dr. Sidhu.