Do you think dentists recommend a root canal merely to heap untold miseries on you? Wouldn’t it be better if you thought differently and considered the treatment as a savior of your infected tooth? In reality, root canal treatment is only recommended as a measure to preserve your infected natural tooth, which otherwise needs extraction.
A root canal is a dental process that aims to remove the soft center of your tooth, the pulp. Blood vessels, connective tissue, and nerves are part of the pulp helping the tooth to develop in its initial stages. Generally, general dentists or the Gilbert endodontist near you perform root canals after giving you appropriate anesthesia.
If you aren’t aware of why root canals are performed, learn more about this routine procedure from this blog.
You require a root canal when the pulp within your tooth sustains injuries or becomes inflamed and infected. Your tooth’s crown, the visible part above your gums, remains intact even after the pulp within dies. The optimal method to preserve the structure of your tooth is to remove the injured or infected pulp. If you are wondering about the reasons why the pulp sustained damages, here there are:
The most familiar symptoms of the damaged pulp include pain and swelling in your tooth and sensitivity, which may have prompted you to seek emergency dental care. The emergency dentist may not provide you a free dental exam but will undoubtedly make you aware of the infected tooth causing the pain and discomfort. They may also offer a referral to the root canal dentist Gilbert to treat the infection to preserve your tooth.
The Root canal dentist Gilbert begins the procedure by applying some topical anesthetic to your gums near the affected tooth to numb the area. After the topical anesthetic has taken effect, the dentist injects local anesthesia in your gums. You remain awake during the procedure, experiencing no pain after the anesthesia injected takes hold.
The Gilbert dentist drills a tiny hole in the crown of your tooth to expose the dental pulp. After the exposure, the specialist will meticulously remove the pulp using special instruments. The professional is particularly careful during the cleaning procedure to ensure all the canals in the tooth are cleaned.
After cleaning the canals, the dentist coats the area with topical antibiotics to prevent reinfection. After cleaning and disinfecting the canals, the specialist fills and seals the tooth with a rubber-like material, gutta-percha. Oral antibiotics are also prescribed to prevent infections. The dentist completes the procedure by filling the access hole they created on the crown of your tooth with a soft temporary material. The season prevents damage to the canals by saliva.
You will experience soreness in your tooth and gums after the numbing medication wears off. You can also expect some swelling. Your dentist recommends treating these symptoms with over-the-counter painkillers. However, if you experience extreme discomfort lasting for over a few days, you can call your dentist for assistance.
You can resume your routine the day after undergoing a root canal. You must avoid chewing with the damaged tooth until your regular dentist permanently restores it.
You must aim to have the tooth repaired as soon as possible and visit your dentist within a few days after the procedure. The dentist takes x-rays to ensure the infection is eradicated. They will also replace the temporary filling with a permanent one.
Root canals render your tooth fragile, making them prone to cracks and fractures. You can have a dental crown made from porcelain or gold placed over the affected tooth if you prefer. Dental crowns provide your tooth a realistic appearance while giving the tooth the durability and functionality it needs.
As can be seen, root canals are not complicated and are simple in reality. Root canals are a better option than having your tooth extracted and searching for expensive replacements requiring multiple dentists’ appointments. The procedure helps preserve your natural tooth without needing extractions, saving you a tidy sum and plenty of time.
