Root canal therapy is a treatment to lower swelling and remove an infection from the roots of teeth instead of just extracting it. This treatment is also called endodontic therapy, which means therapy taking place inside the tooth.
The therapy protects the tooth from any future infections. As the name suggests, root canal therapy is carried out in the root canal or the dental pulp.
Who Would Need Root Canal Therapy?
- If you are suffering from a deep cavity, the bacterial infection destroys your dental pulp. If left untreated, this weakens the tooth and eventually leads to tooth loss.
- If you have diseased or dead root canal tissues that are unable to repair themselves
- If accidentally the dental pulp ruptures, making the tooth sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. This results in pain while chewing. Sometimes the throbbing pain persists for too long.
If you have the above following dental problems, root canal therapy is a solution for you.
Extraction is not always a good choice. After extraction, the other teeth move to the empty space, making it difficult to chew food properly.
Steps in the Procedure
In the first appointment with the dentist, a dental X-ray is taken to determine the amount of damage. Local anesthesia is used to numb the pain during the procedure. A dental dam, which is a rubber-like sheet, is placed in your mouth to protect the tooth from saliva. An opening on the tooth is made, and the pulp chamber is accessed.
Endodontists then remove the damaged and dead pulp from inside the root canal using dental tools. The pulp chamber is flushed and cleaned, and a temporary filling is placed to protect it from saliva and other foreign elements.
In the next appointment, the dentist fills the tooth with a rubber-like material. The canal is sealed using dental adhesives. A tooth with no pulp needs to be protected from becoming brittle. In the last step, the tooth is shaped, making it smaller. A metal post is given for additional support. A crown, generally made of porcelain, is set on top of the tooth.
How to Take Care After Root Canal Therapy
- Until dental filling is complete, the tooth should not be used for biting or chewing food.
- Use toothpaste containing fluoride.
- Avoid sugary food and drinks.
- A soft bristle toothbrush should be used, which is periodically replaced along with regular flossing.
- If pain persists, take pain-relieving medication as recommended by the dentist.
Please reach out to our dental practice at W Railroad Ave, Plains, MT, to have a consultation with our dentists. You can call us at (406) 215-4705 or schedule an online consultation, and we'll guide you further.