Root Canal Treatment Or Endodontics
Everyone’s heard of root canals. Unfortunately, most people associate them with terrible experiences filled with pain and dread. But what do you really know about root canals and are they worthy of all the horror stories?
What Is A Root Canal Treatment?
A root canal is a procedure that treats a severely infected tooth. The first step in the procedure will involve a local anaesthetic to numb the tooth. During the treatment, the nerve and pulp of the tooth is removed and cleaning the interior of the tooth is performed to treat the bacterial infection. Then the tooth is sealed and filled before being restored with a crown.
Left untreated, an infected tooth will become more serious when the infection spreads to the surrounding tissue which may lead to swelling. So, while the procedure sounds unpleasant, it’s far better than the alternative.
When Do U Need A Root Canal Treatment?
There are several reasons for infection in the tooth pulp. severe tooth decay or deep cavity that touches the tooth nerve
- trauma to the tooth,
- recent dental procedures,
- large fillings, and
- cracks or chips in the teeth.
Symptoms Of A Root Canal
Not all types of mouth pain are indications for a root canal. But signs of infection severe enough that may warrant one include:
- Serious tooth pain when eating or when you put pressure on the area
- Teeth pain and sensitivity to hot or cold things
- Darkening of the tooth
- Swelling near the tooth
- Tooth sensitivity on consuming sweets
Often a tooth that has undergone root canal treatment will require a crown to protect it from breakage and leakage of food and bacteria into the tooth. In many cases when you hear of a root canal treatment not working or breaking, it's actually the result of the tooth not being protected by a crown rather the failure of the root canal treatment itself.
Single Sitting Root Canal
Root canal treatment has traditionally consisted of multiple visits to the dentist. However, with recent advancement in research and instruments, we are now able to perform thorough root canal treatment more efficiently in a single visit.
