Root Canal Treatment | Same-Day Emergency Dentist

Root canal therapy (RCT) is a dental procedure performed to treat the inner core of a tooth, known as the pulp. When it becomes infected or inflamed due to extensive decay, trauma, or other dental issues, it sometimes needs to be removed. The pulp contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue that sustain the tooth during its growth stage. Once the tooth is fully mature, it can survive without the pulp, making root canal therapy a viable option.

There are many steps to root canal therapy:

1. Diagnosis: Your dentist will examine your tooth, possibly using X-rays, to determine if root canal therapy is necessary. Symptoms that might indicate the need for a root canal include severe toothache, sensitivity to hot or cold, swelling, and pain while chewing. The toothach will is often present at the base of the tooth, and can feel like an electric shock. It is during the stage that the dentist will determine if an extraction or crown are ore appropriate, depending on how extensive the damage is. If the tooth is missing sides, or the enamal is gone even below the gumline, it might mean the root canal therapy just would not allow the tooth to remain functional for very long after treatment.

2. Anesthesia: Since the procedure requires deep excavation of the tooth Before starting the procedure, the dentist will administer local anesthesia to numb the area, ensuring you are comfortable throughout the treatment.

3. Access Opening: A small opening is made in the crown of the tooth to access the infected or inflamed pulp. At Pure Dental Care we are very careful to remove only as little as neccessary. This is part of our principle of minimally invasive treatment. In so doing, we leave as much natural structure as possible so that the tooth has the best chance of surviving long into the future. This will also mean that the tooth may never need a crown or more invasive procedures.

4. Cleaning and Shaping: The dentist will remove the damaged pulp, clean the inside of the tooth, and shape the root canals to prepare them for filling.

5. Filling: The cleaned and shaped canals are filled with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha, which seals the space and prevents further infection. This material acts like a long-term plug inside the tooth.

6. Restoration: In some cases, a tooth that has undergone root canal therapy requires a dental crown to provide structural support and restore its functionality. This will depend on how early the damaged tooth is treated and if it can continue to function properly during chewing.

7. Root canal treatment can be quick and easy, taking only a few sessions to achieve results. With our focus on being an affordable dentist, it can be a viable alternative to expensive treatments like crowns or bridges. In some cases, a single visit might suffice, but multiple visits may be necessary for complex cases.

RCT is primarly performed for pain relief. If you do not have pain, there is generally very little indication for this treatment. If the tooth is extensively damaged, that extraction is considered, RCT can hold off this procedure for a few more years. If the tooth is sufficiently functional it can mean that more costly and invasive procedures are no longer required. Rather than extracting the tooth, root canal therapy allows you to retain your natural tooth, which is usually the best option for maintaining oral health and functionality.

Another benefit is to Oral Health. By removing the infection, more severe health issues and spreading of the infection can be prevented. Undoubtedly, with root canal therapy, it be very diffcult to contine chewing efficently. A successfully treated tooth can function just like any other healthy tooth, allowing you to chew and bite comfortably.

After root canal therapy, it's essential to follow these steps to ensure a successful recovery:

1. You might experience mild to medium discomfort for a few days. This pain can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers as recommended by your dentist.

2. Maintain your regular brushing, flossing, and rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash. This helps prevent future decay and improve your gum health as you recover.

3. Try to avoid hard or sticky foods to protect the restoration and encourage the healing process. Its best if you can keep away from these foods permanantly.

4. Be sure to attend any follow-up appointments scheduled by your dentist to ensure the tooth is healing properly.

It’s important to address a few misconceptions about root canal therapy. Firstly, that its a painful procedure. In fact, toot canal therapy is performed under anesthesia and is designed to relieve pain, not cause it. By opening the tooth the pressure of the infection is relieved and the internal pus is allowed to drain. Some people think extraction is better. This is untrue, as saving your natural tooth through root canal therapy maintains the integrity of your dental arch. Also RCT is preferable to crowns as it is more cost-effective and can delay life-long maintainence of an artifical piece of ceramic in the mouth. A last thing to remember is that after root canal therapy the tooth is not dead. Although the pulp is removed, the tooth can still function well with the support of surrounding tissues.