What to Expect During a Root Canal?
Ah, root canals. You probably fear this treatment due to misconceptions people have. In this blog, our dentist in Dryden will explain the procedure.
What is a Root Canal?
A root canal is a dental procedure in which a dental professional removes the nerve due to infection. When tooth decay reaches the pulp, your doctor must eliminate it to prevent it from getting into periodontal tissues and other parts of the body.
Is Root Canal Painful?
It is probably the most common myth about it. It is true that many years ago, this procedure was long and uncomfortable; however, now it requires a single appointment, and patients feel the same as if they were getting a dental filling. It is not painful because your doctor uses a local anesthetic to numb the area.
What are the Steps of the Procedure?
We can divide our root canal treatment in Dryden into five steps:
- Management of the pain – We care for our patients and want them not to feel anything, so our doctors use numb medication before doing anything. The most common is Lidocaine, and it is completely safe. In cases of severe anxiety, you can ask a dentist near you to use sedation dentistry. If you do, your dentist will still use a local anesthetic because sedation calms the nerves but does not inhibit the pain.
- Isolation of the tooth – If you are looking for root canal treatment near you, ensure your doctor encourages full isolation of your dental piece. It will prevent further contamination and keep you safe from swallowing any devices. This step requires placing a rubber dam around the tooth, which will remain in place thanks to a metallic clamp.
- Endodontic treatment – Removing the nerve is not painful. Your doctor will use a drill to eliminate the cameral pulp and small files for the radicular. They will remove connective tissue and any debris inside.
- Disinfection – With Sodium Hypochlorite, they will thoroughly disinfect the canals to ensure the complete elimination of bacteria.
- Sealing – Using a material called Gutta-percha, they will fill the canals. This material is biocompatible, and your dentist mixes it with cement to put it inside.
After
your doctor seals the canals, they will place temporary cement. Make an
appointment as soon as possible to place a dental crown on top. If it is not
necessary, your doctor will restore it with a dental filling; however, in most
cases, it is. Dental fillings cannot withstand heavy forces because they break.
If you got a root canal, your tooth is brittle, so you must use more resistant material.
Is Root Canal Treatment Expensive?
Root
canal therapy is not among the cheapest treatments, but it is hardly the most
expensive one. It is best to invest in it because it extends the life of the
tooth instead of getting an extraction. If you lose a tooth, you must pay for
the dental extraction, the dental implant to replace this piece, and the dental
crown on top.
Will I Lose My Endodontic Treated Tooth
Some
people think it is best to pull the tooth out because root canals fail and, in
the end, you undergo a tooth extraction. However, root canal therapy can even
last for a lifetime. It will depend on the lifestyle of the patient. If you
don’t brush your teeth correctly and eat sugary foods all the time, you will
develop an infection, and the root canal will fail.
To ensure a
long life of your root canal, keep up with your oral care routine and visit
your dentist every six months.
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