10 facts you should know about root canals
HEALTH
10 facts you should know about root canals
There are many misconceptions surrounding root canal( endodontic) treatment and whether patients experience root canal pain. Mediestetik wants you to have accurate information. As always, when considering any medical procedure, you should get as much information as you can about all of your options. Your dentist or endodontist can answer many of your questions, and if you still have concerns, it is often wise to seek a second opinion. We asked a couple of dentists at our clinic a few questions about root canals, which you might be interested in.
Has your dentist or endodontist told you that you need root canal treatment? If so, you‘ re not alone. Millions of teeth are treated and saved each year with root canal, or endodontic, treatment. But remember, you should undergo the treatment of root canals at experienced endodontists, and even better, at one which uses a microscope. Without it, dentists operate blindly, reducing the success of treatment by up to 50 %.
What are dental root canals? Root canals are the hollow channels reaching from the central chamber to the bottom of the tooth roots.
What is root canal treatment? Root canal treatment( also called endodontic treatment) is needed when the blood or nerve supply of the tooth( i. e. pulp) is infected with bacteria due to deep decay or injury. You may not feel any pain in the early stages of the infection. In some cases your tooth could darken in colour, which may mean that the nerve of the tooth has died( or is dying). This would need root canal treatment.
Why is root canal treatment needed? If the pulp of the tooth is infected, the infection or inflammation can spread through the root canal system. This may eventually lead to an abscess. An abscess is an inflamed area in which pus collects and can cause swelling of the tissues around the tooth. The symptoms of abscess can range from a dull to severe pain, and the tooth may be sensitive when biting. If the endodontic therapy is not performed, the infection will spread and the tooth may need to be taken out.
Does root canal treatment hurt? The root canal procedure is painless. Usually, a local anaesthetic is applied and the feeling that the patient has during the procedure is no different to having an ordinary filling done. There may be some tenderness afterwards but this should gradually wear off after a while.
What does the procedure involve? The aim of the treatment is to remove all the infected parts from the root canal. The root is then cleaned and filled to prevent any further infection.
Root canal treatment is a skilled and time-consuming procedure. Most courses of treatment will involve two or more visits to your dentist. During the first appointment, the infected pulp is removed and any abscesses drained. The root canal is then cleaned and shaped ready for the filling. A temporary filling is inserted and the tooth is left to settle. The tooth is checked on a later visit and when all the infection has cleared; the tooth is then sealed permanently filled.
What will your teeth look like after the treatment? In the past, a root-filled tooth would often
12 | YOUTH CODE 6 | 2017