Getting to the ‘Roots’ of the Root Canal Treatment
Often people dread going to the dentist, and what scares them even more is the term ‘root canal’. This is because people are misinformed that a root canal is extremely painful. Truth is that if you’ve visited a dentist and have been recommended a root canal, it probably means that you are already dealing with severe tooth pain. There really is no escaping, and this procedure is the only way to ultimately relieve the pain and protect your oral health.
What is a Root Canal?
Understanding a root canal requires some basic knowledge about the human dental structure. Every tooth has a hollow chamber in its center and one or more canals that extend down to its root and into the bone surrounding the tooth. The chamber and canals are filled with a soft material known as pulp, consisting of tissue, nerve and blood vessels. It is possible for this pulp to decay and get infected. In such situations, a root canal treatment is the process by which the pulp is removed and replaced with artificial filling, before the tooth is sealed. This helps protect the tooth and restore functionality.
The Conditions that Require Root Canal Treatment
There are a number of dental conditions that might require root canal treatment. Deep cavity is a common one. When a tooth has decayed severely, the pulp often gets infected with bacteria. This may cause it to swell or die and decay. In either case, it is extremely painful, and the only way out is to remove the pulp altogether. If the condition is not treated on time, it is possible for the bacterial infection to spread to other teeth, and down to the other organs of the body through the food pipe. An abscess is also a common condition requiring root canal treatment. An abscess is a pocket of pus that forms in the gums around the root, when the pulp of a tooth dies completely. It is infected with bacteria, and if left untreated, it can spread to the rest of the mouth and into the body as well. The best solution is root canal treatment. The dead pulp and pus are cleared out completely, and the tooth is filled and sealed. Fractures in the teeth and trauma from injury can also damage the pulp of the teeth over time. As a result, a dentist might recommend a root canal.
How Painful is It?
The general impression is that root canal treatment is extremely painful. However, the treatment is performed under strong local anesthesia, and within a few days it starts to relieve the pain the patient may have been feeling anyway. In other words, a root canal is actually relief from pain! For further information, feel free to ask your dentist questions about the surgical and entire treatment process. Bear in mind that the entire root canal may be done in one or two sessions, depending on the exact condition of your tooth.
The Aftermath
Once the treatment is done, your mouth will remain numb for a few hours till the anesthesia wears off. After that, you may experience some throbbing and pain in the tooth for a couple of days. Your dentist may recommend a pain killer such as ibuprofen. For a few days after the treatment, try to chew your food completely from the other side of the mouth. This is to allow the tooth and its nerves to recover. Since the natural pulp is removed during the root canal and the tooth is relatively weak and fragile, your dentist will probably recommend a crown. This will secure the tooth, keep it strong, and protect it from eventually getting loose and falling off. Ultimately, you should be aware that a root canal is a long and complex dental procedure, and it is important you trust your dentist completely and get thorough information before beginning.
