What is a root canal treatment?
Inside the roots of our teeth, there are tiny canals that are filled with a soft tissue called the pulp containing blood vessels and nerves which in turn connects the tooth to the surrounding tissues.
Root canal treatment is necessary when the pulp becomes inflamed or infected due to either deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth, a crack or a chip, or an injury to a tooth. It allows us to treat the infected tooth without having to perform an extraction. A root canal therapy does not kill the tooth, on the contrary, it allows us to save it and restore it back to function normally like other teeth.
How do you know if you need a root canal?
There are few signs that tell that you need a root canal treatment:
- Prolonged sensitivity to hot and cold
- Pain on biting
- Swollen and tender gums
- Pimples and pus coming out of the gums
What steps are involved in a root canal treatment?
Root Canal treatment or Endodontics involves removing the infected and inflamed pulp, cleaning and shaping the canal space, and filling it again after proper disinfection.
After the symptoms disappear you can return to your dentist for final restoration or crown (depending on the remaining intact tooth structure) and thus restoring it to function normally.
Root canal therapies are meant to relieve the pain of toothaches caused by pulp inflammation or infection. Nowadays the procedure is no more invasive than a regular filling. During the treatment, your tooth will be totally anaesthetized so that you won’t feel anything. Also in our clinic, we have cutting-edge technologies for a pain-free delivery of anesthetics such as Quick Sleeper and Sedation with Nitrious Oxide (laughing gas).
What happens after a root canal?
For the first few days after a root canal procedure, it’s normal for some patients to experience sensitivity, swelling, or inflammation after the procedure, even sometimes it may last up to two weeks especially if there was pain or infection before the procedure, is called a flare-up. A follow-up appointment is sometimes needed otherwise this discomfort can be relieved by pain killers and over-the-counter medication prescribed by your Endodontist.
In general, all dentists are trained to do root canal therapy, but Endodontists are specialized in this. In our clinic, we use the latest technology which facilitates the preparation of the dental roots for optimal filling.
How does endodontic treatment save the tooth?
Endodontic treatment usually can be performed in one to two sessions depending on the case and the root canal anatomy:
- First of all, after proper clinical and radiographic diagnosis, the Endodontist anaesthetizes the tooth and isolates it with a protective sheet called “Rubber Dam” to keep it clean and prevent recontamination with saliva.
- Then, the endodontist makes a small opening in the crown to reach the pulp chamber and be able to remove the pulps, clean and shape the canals and refill them. Each appointment lasts roughly 90 minutes.
- Afterward, you will be referred back to your treating dentist for the final restoration.
For the first few days after a root canal therapy, some patients experience sensitivity, swelling, or inflammation, while others experience an uneven bite or a reaction to the medication provided by the endodontist. Regardless of symptoms, a follow-up appointment is almost always needed.
Endodontically treated teeth are often susceptible to fracture, it is advised not to chew or bite on the treated tooth before it’s permanently restored. Depending on the intact remaining tooth structure it is either restored with a normal filling or a crown or an inlay/onlay.
Root canal-treated teeth should last for a long time as other natural teeth, occasionally they may become painful or maybe months or even years after successful treatment, and they can always be retreated to save the tooth.
Risks of a root canal therapy:
Most of the time, root canal treatment is successful and the tooth will no longer cause pain. However, there is always some risk depending on the condition of the tooth, gum, and the biting forces on the tooth.
Common risks and complications of a root canal include:
- mild temporary pain due to inflammation of the tissues surrounding the tooth
- a darker tooth: there are procedures available that may lighten the tooth if this occurs
- tooth fracture: due to reduced strength and durability of the tooth: –a tooth extraction may be required –this risk is reduced when a crown is used.
What can I eat after a root canal?
After a root canal procedure, is it advised not to eat for an hour or two till the anesthesia and numbness wear off so that you don’t bite your cheek or tongue. On the other hand, avoid biting or chewing hard food before the final restoration is placed to protect the tooth from any possible fracture.
Can I brush my teeth after a root canal?
Brushing your teeth after eating is always advised unless you were told otherwise by your dentist or endodontist.
Can you smoke after a root canal?
Concerning smoking, it’s not really recommended to smoke after root canal therapy as many studies show that smokers are nearly twice as likely to need root canal treatment as non-smokers.
In conclusion, root canal treatment can be always prevented by maintaining healthy oral hygiene by proper and regular brushing and flossing after meals, using fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash, and by having routine dental visits for checkups and hygiene treatment every 6 months.