If you have a tooth that is damaged or has been injured, your dentist may recommend a root canal. This is an effective way to relieve pain and save your natural teeth.
During the procedure, your endodontist will remove the infected or injured pulp and clean and disinfect the inside of your tooth’s roots. Then, the area will be filled with a biocompatible material to replace the pulp.
The process typically lasts about an hour, and your dentist will probably ask you to return a few times for checkups. You will also be given instructions on how to care for your tooth following the root canal.
A lot of people are afraid to have a root canal, but they should know that it’s not nearly as painful as most dental procedures. Your dentist or endodontist will give you a local anesthetic, and the root canal will be no more uncomfortable than having a filling.
Your root canal dentist will use a rubber dam to keep saliva out of your tooth while cleaning and disinfecting the interior of your tooth’s root canal. He or she will then fill the empty spaces with a material that is biocompatible, such as gutta-percha. This will protect your tooth from future bacteria.
After your treatment, you should notice less pain when chewing, biting, and speaking. If you do experience discomfort, you can take over-the-counter medications to help relieve the pain.
Having a pain that lasts for a long time could be an indication that your tooth has become infected or has a large cavity that is causing the infection to spread to your nerve. The pain should go away on its own once the infected tissue has been removed, but you should visit your dentist if the problem persists or gets worse.
It is important to note that if you don’t address an infection that has reached the nerves in your tooth, it could cause severe pain and swelling in the surrounding gums and jawbone. This can lead to an abscess, which is a serious infection. This can cause you to lose your tooth and if left untreated, can cause damage to the jawbone and other parts of your body.
The best way to avoid having to have a root canal is by taking good care of your teeth and visiting your dentist regularly. This will help you to avoid problems with your teeth in the future and will also save you money.
You should also be aware of other signs that indicate you might need a root canal. The most common symptom is major pain in a specific tooth that you can’t seem to get rid of with other oral health treatments.
A bump on the gum (fistula) that looks like a pimple is another sign of an infection. This is a small, white, red, or yellow bump that is the result of an infected tooth trying to “vent” pus and blood.
If you have a tooth that is cracked or chipped, it’s important to see your dentist immediately for an evaluation to determine whether a root canal is needed. This is because a cracked or chipped tooth can make it more likely for bacteria to enter the pulp tissue and cause an infection.