Dental pain is unlike any other type of pain. It becomes your primary concentration very fast since it’s impossible to ignore. A root canal is a technique that bears the name of a tooth root. It lessens infection-related pain that originates from the inside of your tooth. People frequently mention root canals as an example of something they really wish to avoid.
However, in terms of their effectiveness as a dental treatment, root canals are really good at saving decaying teeth as well as underlying jawbones, potentially helping a patient avoid severe dental problems in the future.
Your teeth are made up of a crown and a root. You can see the part of the tooth called the crown above your gums, and the section of the tooth that connects to your jawbone is called the root. The tooth pulp is the inner portion of your tooth that houses lots of small nerves, connective tissue, and blood vessels that help sustain it.
Unfortunately, if your pulp becomes infected or injured, it can result in severe pain and potentially increase your chance of developing an abscess. A root canal is required to eliminate the affected pulp and prevent the tooth from further deteriorating.
Here are some facts regarding root canals that will help you feel comfortable with a procedure and perhaps even look forward to the treatment and the ultimate pain relief:
1. Modern root canals are completely painless
Despite its reputation as an excruciatingly painful treatment, root canal nowadays is practically painless.
Using a local anesthetic, your dentist will effectively numb the affected tooth. They will then create a little hole at the crown of your tooth to access the troublesome pulp. They will sweep the material away and give the treatment area a thorough cleaning and drying.
Your specialist will follow that by giving you a temporary filling and covering the area of your root canal with a crown in a couple of weeks.
2. The procedure can be completed pretty quick
Root canal procedures used to take a while. Nowadays, both your initial treatment and the installment of a dental crown can take very little time. Some dental offices can even make crowns on-site, allowing the whole treatment to be completed in just one visit.
3. A root canal can preserve your teeth and overall dental health
To have one of your teeth extracted is never good as it puts the underlying jawbone at risk of deterioration if you don’t get a dental implant to fill the empty space.
If you don’t get the gap filled, risks including gum disease and tooth shifting, which are connected to missing teeth, are quite real.
4. There could be various symptoms but all of them may warrant the procedure
A rapid onset of acute, excruciating pain is one sign, but other possible symptoms of an infected dental pulp include:
- Dull ache
- Recurring pain
- Pain when eating
- Gums that are sore or inflamed
- Swollen gums
- Pus, which is a key sign of an inner infection
Your dentist will request X-rays if you show any of the aforementioned symptoms or a combination of them. If they determine that the tooth’s roots have started to decay, they would suggest a root canal as a treatment.
5. Recovery after a root canal is simple and straightforward
When you need a root canal, your dentist will be there for you every step of the process. Their top priority after the procedure is to make sure that you recover smoothly, comfortably, and without recurrence.
The best thing you can do for the smoothest recovery following a root canal is to simply follow your regular dental hygiene routine, which includes diligently brushing and flossing and using mouthwash.
Additionally, it’s best for you to make a follow-up visit so that your dental specialist could get some X-rays and confirm that you are completely free of infection.
