Root canal treatment is a dental treatment in which pulp with infection removal is necessary. After that, the dental doctor will seal it with sealant.
However, a “root canal” is not a treatment but rather a component of a tooth. The pulp is the hollow section of a tooth that contains nerve tissue, blood vessels, and other cells. When this root canal gets infected, root canal treatment is done.
A tooth has a crown and roots. The crown is mostly visible above the gum, while the roots are visible below it. The roots are what connect the tooth to the bone.
The pulp is located inside the crown and the root canal. The pulp nerves perceive hot and cold temperatures as pain, nourishing the tooth, and keeping the surrounding material moist.
Recovery time of root canal
There are many situations that demand root canal therapy, and your dentist may consider the same to determine an ideal root canal procedure on your own. It is possible that you will not notice any physical symptoms until the problem has progressed to an advanced stage; that is why regular dental check-ups are essential.Â
However, if you do not see a dentist to detect a developing problem before it worsens, you may develop an infected tooth that requires a root canal.
As with most medical or dental procedures that use anaesthesia, some discomfort is expected as the anaesthesia wears off.
However, the level of discomfort is usually quite mild and easily managed with over-the-counter medication and good oral hygiene. In terms of recovery time for a root canal, it can take three full days and mild pain coupled with sensitivity.
Many would experience no discomfort after 2 or 3 days, while others may take longer. It usually takes seven days to recover completely from a root canal procedure. After you place the crown permanently, you should be able to adjust to it within one or two weeks.
6 SYMPTOMS THAT MAY INDICATE THE NECESSITY OF ROOT CANAL THERAPY
Dentists perform root canal treatment to repair and save severely infected or damaged teeth. If the dental pulp, which consists of nerves and blood vessels, faces damage. Also, it will be removed, and the chamber cleaned and sealed to prevent reinfection. The following are some indications that a patient may require root canal therapy:
1. CONSTANT PAIN
One of the first signs is pain. A visit to the dentist becomes necessary when routine activities such as drinking and eating cause severe discomfort. Then it can be the reason for root canal treatment. The dentist will examine the tooth to determine the source of the pain and do the appropriate treatment.
2. TOOTH CRACKED OR CHIPPED
You might face teeth cracking due to eating hard foods, participating in contact sports, suffering an injury, or complications following a dental procedure. When a tooth is broken, the nerves are exposed, making the tooth susceptible to infection. The infection may spread and cause pain if not treated promptly.
3. SENSITIVITY OF THE TOOTH
Tooth sensitivity is another sign that a person may require a root canal. If your tooth hurts when you drink hot or cold drinks, there is a problem. A dull ache can quickly turn into a sharp, excruciating pain. This is a complete sign that you need a root canal treatment.
4. SWOLLEN GUMSÂ
Gum swelling frequently indicates an infection around the tooth root or the gums. If the gums are inflamed, the dentist will examine them to see if a tooth infection is a cause. A root canal treatment is necessary to save the tooth and prevent infection spread.
5. DISCOLORATION OF THE TOOTH
Poor hygiene, the consumption of teeth-staining foods and beverages, or nerve damage in the tooth’s inner layer can cause the tooth to become discoloured. If the cause of tooth discolouration is an infected nerve and blood vessels, the dentist will recommend endodontic therapy to remove the decayed tissues.
6. EXTREME TOOTH DECAY
Once decay has reached the tooth’s core, no amount of oral hygiene can undo the damage. If you’ve not filled a cavity, the decay will spread to the nerve and root of the tooth. In that case, a root canal will almost certainly be the only way to save the tooth from extraction. Following that, the tooth with damage will have a filling with a dental crown.
Also, you can read about What’s Rhinoplasty.
What is the procedure for root canal treatment?
When you visit a dental clinic, your dentist will take dental X-rays of the affected tooth before beginning the root canal procedure. This aids in determining the extent of the damage and ensuring that root canal therapy is the best treatment option.Â
The following are the steps that will be necessary during your root canal procedure:
- Local anaesthesia comes in handy to numb the infected tooth and surrounding gums. After that, a dental dam(a small rubber dam) comes into usage over the area before beginning root canal treatment. During the procedure, this isolates the tooth and keeps it dry.
- After that, the expert will access the pulp through a small opening in the tooth’s crown. Then, he/she will remove the dental pulp using tiny dental instruments. Root canals are cleaned, disinfected, and shaped after removing the pulp.
- The empty canals are then filled with gutta-percha, a flexible, rubbery dental material. The tooth is being sealed. The tooth is sealed with a temporary dental filling to prevent bacteria from re-entering.
- A dental crown will be required to protect the treated tooth and restore your bite. Crowns are made to order and typically take two to three weeks to complete. When your crown is finished, the temporary filling is removed, and the permanent crown is installed. In some cases, you may be able to get a crown and a filling simultaneously.
Getting your treatment in Canada
Root canal treatment is not painful or terrible; it’s an effortless process. Thus, if you believe you have a dental problem that may necessitate a root canal, then visit a dental clinic for root canal therapy in Calgary when you are in or around Alberta. An experienced and qualified dentist will make you feel at ease during the procedure.