Root Canal Therapy: Everything You Need To Know
It is distressing when you have to deal with infected teeth. This leads to pain, discomfort, and lack of concentration in your activities, and significantly impacts your quality of life. But fret not! You can ease your discomfort and save your teeth by restoring them with suitable filling materials.
Root canal therapy is a tooth restoration when the infection spreads deeper into the roots. The Mayfair, Northeast Philadelphia dentist offers extensive root canal therapy to repair your compromised tooth and prevent further damage.
Root canal therapy-Overview
Root canal therapy is a dental procedure that relieves pain caused by an infected or abscessed tooth. Most often when the infection spreads into deeper tissues of your teeth infecting your pulp (innermost part of the tooth consisting of blood vessels and nerves), regular dental restorations do not help.
This requires root canal treatment that involves the removal of the inflamed pulp. The surfaces inside the tooth are cleaned and disinfected, and a filling is placed to seal the space.
Root canal therapy-Indications
Root canal therapy is indicated when the bacteria invade the pulp inside your tooth. Cracked or damaged teeth due to trauma also require root canal therapy.
Your dentist may recommend root canal therapy if you experience the following symptoms:
- Severe tooth pain that does not go away easily
- Extreme sensitivity to heat and cold
- Swollen and inflamed gums (gum abscess)
- Pimple on the gums
- Visibly swollen jaw
- Tooth discoloration
- Pain when pressure is applied
- A chipped or cracked tooth
- Loose tooth
Root canal therapy-Detailed procedure
One of the primary goals of root canal therapy is to relieve pain and prevent further tooth damage. Currently, most root canal therapies are performed in a single dental visit.
Tooth evaluation
- Your dentist will carefully examine your oral cavity and assess the extent of tooth damage.
- Oral radiographs are taken to determine the exact condition of your affected tooth and to assess the root morphology for further course of action.
Infection removal and treatment
- Once the tooth is evaluated, special dental instruments are used to remove the infected tissue from the tooth and roots.
- The roots are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
- The root canals are sealed with suitable filling materials, to minimize the chance of further complications.
Restoration and tooth preservation
- Once the tooth is treated, your dentist will restore your tooth structure and strength. This is possible by placing a custom-made crown that fits over your treated tooth.
Experiencing tooth pain or jaw swelling can be daunting. But, fortunately, root canal therapy can help treat your infected teeth to ease your discomfort. This will help you bounce back to your normal life quickly.
