Most people think of
root canal treatment as a painful and expensive procedure. However, the reality is that this procedure is performed to relieve pain and remove infection within a tooth. A tooth can be subdivided into two parts: the crown, which is the part visible above the gum line, and the roots, which anchor the tooth firmly to the underlying jawbone.
What is a Root Canal?
Root canal treatment is a dental procedure used to alleviate pain caused by an infected or abscessed tooth. The inflamed pulp is removed during the
root canal procedure. After cleaning and disinfecting the inside surfaces of the tooth, a filling is placed to seal the spa
When is a Root Canal needed?
When oral bacteria infiltrate the pulp inside your tooth, root canal therapy is required. This usually occurs when a cavity is left untreated for an extended period of time. It can also happen if your tooth becomes cracked or damaged as a result of trauma.
The following are some of the most common causes of pulp damage:
- deep decay as a result of an untreated cavity
- a number of dental procedures on the same tooth
- a crack or chip in the tooth
- a tooth injury (if you are hit in the mouth, you may injure a tooth; the pulp can still be damaged even if the injury does not crack the tooth).
The most common symptoms of damaged pulp are tooth pain, swelling, and a burning sensation in your gums. To confirm the diagnosis, your
Dentist Glenview IL will examine the painful tooth and take X-rays. If your dentist believes you need a root canal, he or she may refer you to an endodontist.
The root canal lies within the crown and the root of the tooth, and it contains the pulp. The pulp provides nourishment to the tooth. Nerves in the dental pulp are sensitive to cold and hot temperatures, and they interpret these sensations as pain. The root canal procedure is performed in 3 main stages, which are discussed below.
Steps of a Root Canal
The root canal treatment has three main stages, requiring about three sessions with your Glenview dentist to complete. The root canal steps include:
- Root canal cleaning: Your
endodontist will begin the root canal treatment by clearing out the inside of the root canal. This is done by creating a tiny access hole on the tooth's surface while the patient is under local anesthesia and using small files to remove dead and diseased tissue from the root canal. The length of the treatment will increase with the number of roots a tooth has. Suppose the root canal process must be spread out over several visits. In that case, your
dentist in Glenview, IL, could place a small quantity of medication in the root canal between appointments to eradicate any remaining germs.
- Filling the root canal: Your
Glenview dentist will use irrigation solutions and small files to clean, disinfect, and shape the hollow area. A rubber-like substance is then used to fill the tooth, and the root canals are completely sealed with adhesive cement. The tooth is dead after receiving root canal treatment. This is due to the removal of the nerve tissue. As a result, there is no more pain in that tooth. Your root canal specialist may recommend dental crowns to protect your tooth. This is because teeth with root fillings are more likely to break than healthy teeth. A root-filled tooth may occasionally turn darker, especially if the tooth has died due to trauma. Your dentist in Glenview IL can treat discoloration using several methods, including teeth whitening with chemicals.
- Placing a dental crown: After a
root canal treatment, the tooth becomes more brittle than before the procedure. The ligament anchoring the tooth to the underlying jawbone must provide sustenance for a tooth without pulp. Although this supply is sufficient, the tooth will become more fragile over time. This is why
dental crowns are used to help protect the tooth.
The patient shouldn't bite down on the tooth or chew on it until the procedure is completed. After the process is completed, the patient can utilize the tooth normally.
To ensure that your dental crown is a proper fit for your tooth, your dentist will obtain a mold of your tooth. Adhesive cement will affix the dental crown to the tooth during the fitting process. Treatment usually only requires a single
endodontics appointment. However, significant infections, curved canals, and multiple canals may require one or two extra consultations.
Complications of Root Canal Treatment
Complications can occur with a root canal treatment, as with any other surgical procedure. Possible complications of a root canal treatment include:
- The tooth root could fracture during the treatment, or the instruments could puncture the canal. Effective filling of the tooth is difficult as a result.
- Sometimes only three root canals are discovered by the dentist in a tooth with four. It is possible for the infection in the untreated canal to spread and affect the underlying bone.
- The endodontist must ensure that the filling substance enters the canal far enough to fill it. The infection could reoccur in an improperly sealed canal.
A root canal specialist may attempt to resolve the issue and finish the root canal if complications arise. Patients should constantly adhere to the dentist's advice to prevent complications. When an antibiotic is prescribed, it's crucial to follow the prescription exactly. Once the root canal process is over, it is important to have a permanent restoration installed to protect the tooth.
Prevention
Below are the things you can do to prevent tooth decay and infections.
- Brush at least twice a day
- Use a fluoride-containing toothpaste
- Use a good toothbrush and replace it regularly
- Visit a
dental clinic regularly for checkups and cleanings. You can find dentists in your area by looking up “dentist near me” online.
Is a Root Canal Treatment Expensive?
Although dental care costs vary greatly, preserving a tooth with a root canal treatment is generally more economical than a tooth extraction. This is because the price of dental tooth-replacement options after a tooth extraction is typically higher. Malocclusion or changes in the alignment of teeth and trouble chewing may also occur due to tooth extraction.
Find out if You could Need a Root Canal Treatment
A root canal treatment is performed to relieve pain from an infected tooth and to stop the spread of infection. How is a root canal done? This question is answered above to give you a clear picture of the stages of root canal treatment.
Dr. Eric Lim can determine whether you need a root canal treatment and provide the highest quality of care. Contact
Glenlake Dental Care today to learn more about root canal treatment and other endodontic procedures or To schedule an appointment, call (847) 892-4696.
