Infection of the pulp inside your tooth by oral bacteria necessitates root canal therapy. This typically occurs when a cavity is neglected over an extended period of time. Additionally, it could happen if a traumatised tooth cracks or sustains other damage.
Tooth pain that doesn’t go away: Tooth discomfort can be caused by a variety of dental issues. You could require root canal therapy if you experience discomfort deep inside your tooth. Your jaw, face, or other teeth could experience discomfort as well.
Sensitivity to heat and cold: You may require root canal therapy if your tooth hurts when you eat ice cream or drink hot coffee. This is particularly true if the pain lasts for a long time.
Swollen gums: Pus may build up around an infected tooth when it is diseased. Gums may become swollen, puffy, or sensitive as a result.
Pimple on the gums: On your gums, you can get a pimple or a boil. An unpleasant taste or odour may result from pus from the infected tooth draining from the pimple.
Swollen jaw: On occasion, pus doesn’t leave the wound site. Your jaw may therefore develop a noticeable swelling.
Tooth discoloration: Your tooth may appear darker if the pulp of the tooth becomes infected. This happens as a result of the tooth’s inadequate blood supply.
Pain when pressure is applied: If you experience discomfort when chewing or touching your tooth, the pulp’s surrounding nerves may be destroyed.
A chipped or cracked tooth: Bacteria can get all the way into the tooth pulp if you’ve shattered a tooth in an accident, while playing sports, or even just by biting down on something hard.
Loose tooth: A tooth with an infection may feel looser. This is because the bone supporting the tooth can become softer due to the pus from the affected pulp.
Take all medications as prescribed: In particular, if there is a significant amount of infection present, you can be prescribed antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs a few days before to your consultation.
Don’t smoke: The healing process of your body is hampered by tobacco products. A few days before to your root canal appointment, try to cut out smoking completely if you can.
Eat a healthy meal: It’s a good idea to eat before your visit because the local anesthetic used during root canal therapy will cause your mouth to be numb for a few hours.
Anesthesia. The affected tooth and the gums around it are first given topical anaesthetic to make them feel better. Additionally, sedatives such as nitrous oxide, oral sedatives, and intravenous (IV) sedation are utilised in dentistry to help you unwind. If you suffer from dental anxiety, your doctor might suggest sedation.
Dental dam placement. A tiny rubber dam is put over the area before starting root canal therapy. This keeps the tooth dry throughout the treatment and isolates it.
Access hole. Next, a small opening is made in the crown of the tooth to access the pulp.
Pulp removal. The nerves, blood arteries, and tissues inside the tooth are removed using teeny dental tools.
Shaping the canals. The pulp chamber and root canals are cleansed, sanitised, and shaped once the pulp has been eliminated.
Filling the canals. Gutta-percha, a flexible, rubbery dental material, is then used to fill the empty canals.
Sealing the tooth. Next, a temporary dental filling is placed to seal the tooth and prevent bacteria from re-entering.
Placing the final restoration. Most of the time, a dental crown is required to safeguard the repaired tooth and fix your bite. Crown fabrication typically takes two to three weeks because they are built to order. The temporary filling is taken out and the permanent crown is put in once your crown is ready. In some cases, you might be able to get a crown at the same visit.
There are several benefits to choosing root canal therapy. This treatment can:
Root canal complications can occur in some cases. This is especially true if your tooth is too damaged for this type of treatment. Failed root canal symptoms include:
Tooth extraction is the sole alternative to root canal therapy. It’s preferable to keep natural teeth whenever feasible, but in some cases, extraction may be necessary to protect your oral health.
A dental implant, dental bridge, or partial can be used to replace the extracted tooth if you are not a good candidate for root canal therapy. Call your healthcare physician for more information about root canal vs. extraction.
Call your healthcare practitioner right away if you experience any root canal symptoms, such as tooth pain, swelling, foul taste, or other warning indications. An infected tooth has a better chance of being saved if it is treated quickly.
Regular dental exams also significantly lower the risk of infection. Your healthcare professional can identify issues during these visits early on, before they get worse.
It can be frightening to have jaw swelling or tooth ache. Thankfully, root canal treatment can eliminate illness at its source, allowing you to recover fast. Call your doctor as soon as you think you may have an infected or abscessed tooth. Quick medical attention can stop an infection from spreading and reduce your pain, allowing you to resume your daily activities.