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A root canal is a restorative dentistry treatment for a severe tooth infection. Root canal therapy is extremely common and typically painless. It can save an infected tooth from extraction, allowing us to restore it so you can bite and chew without discomfort or pain.
This guide explains when you might need root canal treatment, what to expect, and the benefits of this procedure.
Root canal treatment, also called endodontic therapy, treats the dental pulp right in the center of each tooth. The pulp is housed in the pulp chamber and is a collection of soft tissues, including connective tissues, blood vessels, and the tooth nerve.
If you need root canal therapy, this treatment removes the dental pulp and all the tissues extending from the pulp into your tooth roots, called root canals. Afterward, the tooth is disinfected, permanently sealed, and restored.
Usually, in a healthy tooth, the pulp is protected by the tooth structure surrounding it, which includes the dentin and an outer layer of tough tooth enamel.
If your tooth becomes damaged, such as a deep cavity in a tooth, the dental pulp can become infected and inflamed. The infection occurs when bacteria found in dental plaque can penetrate deep inside the tooth.
A pulp can also become inflamed if you take a blow to the mouth, which damages it. The inflamed dental pulp will swell, creating pressure inside your tooth and causing a nasty toothache.
Several symptoms that can indicate a tooth infection include:
If you experience any form of dental pain or feel something isn’t quite right with the tooth, it’s a sign that you need to see a dentist, and we urge you to contact Broadway Mall Dental as soon as possible.
A tooth infection can be painful, and we try to see someone in pain as quickly as possible, preferably on the same day. We can soon diagnose the problem and provide pain relief.
When you see our dentist, we will gently examine the tooth and want to take a dental X-ray to see the extent of the infection and inflammation. Other tests may include:
After examining your tooth, we can confirm if it is infected and if root canal treatment is appropriate.
The cost of root canal therapy varies depending on the tooth that needs treatment and the extent of the infection.
An ordinary filling wouldn’t be enough to restore structure and strength to the tooth. Instead, covering it with a crown helps protect it fully and restores its appearance.
We can give you a more precise cost after examining the tooth and discussing suitable types of crowns to restore the tooth afterward.
Your dental insurance should cover at least part of the cost of root canal therapy since this is a restorative procedure. Therefore, treatment is necessary to save and preserve an infected tooth.
There are several stages of root canal treatment, which are outlined below.
After you have a root canal, your recovery should be quick and uneventful. Once the anesthetic wears off, you may experience mild tooth sensitivity or discomfort until the tooth settles down.
If you previously had a severe toothache, root canal treatment should have eliminated this pain. If you experience pain after root canal therapy, please get in touch with us for further help and advice.
We may prescribe antibiotics for a severe tooth infection, and if this is the case, please complete the course even if the tooth seems pain-free. You must return to our dental office for a second and possibly third visit later.
It may be possible for us to make this crown while you wait using CADCAM technology. Otherwise, you will need a third visit so we can fit the crown. If this is the case, your tooth will be protected with a temporary crown until your new crown is ready.
Prompt root canal therapy can save a tooth and eliminate a painful and nasty infection. Without this treatment, you would need to have the tooth removed.
Treatment also prevents the infection from spreading to other teeth and damaging your jawbone. A nasty tooth infection can develop into a dental abscess that can even impact your overall health and may, in rare circumstances, become life-threatening.
After you have root canal therapy, ensure you practice good oral hygiene. If you don’t already, get into a routine of brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing once a day. This simple routine will help avoid any further tooth infections.
Visit us regularly for checkups so we can check the condition of your teeth. Any problems like a small cavity can be quickly treated before they develop into a tooth infection that would need root canal treatment.
Professional dental cleanings help remove plaque and tartar buildup, removing bacteria that could otherwise cause problems like a tooth infection.
Some root canal treatments will last for years or even for life and remain entirely trouble-free. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case, and sometimes, a tooth that has received root canal therapy will become reinfected right down at the tip of the tooth root.
If a tooth does become reinfected, we can look at root canal retreatment. Sometimes, this can be a good option, but the outcome may be less certain. Root canal retreatment may also be more expensive.
At this stage, we will discuss all possible options with you, including removing the tooth and replacing it with a dental bridge or dental implant. Although we always strive to protect and preserve natural teeth, spending the money on a different treatment with a more predictable long-term outcome can occasionally be better.
Have you noticed a tooth has begun to feel sensitive when you eat and drink anything hot or cold or that it twinges occasionally?
Contact us to schedule a checkup, in case it is infected. A tooth infection cannot heal on its own and will likely become more painful. The sooner we treat an infected tooth, the better the long-term outcome will be, and we can quickly ensure your tooth feels more comfortable and pain-free.
