Root canal treatment is a common dental procedure that offers many benefits. Nonetheless, it happens to be one of the procedures that patients question the most. So today we’re going to provide a brief root canal treatment overview.
So if you’ve ever had questions about the procedure, continue reading this blog for answers to real questions that we’ve encountered over the years.
What is a Root Canal?
While the procedure is often referred to simply as ‘root canal’, the term ‘root canal’ actually refers to a funnel-shaped route saturated in soft cells that operate from the surface of your tooth down through the tooth and to the root itself. The canal is the part of your tooth where the tissue, sensory nerves, and cells can be found. This collection of nerves, tissues, and cells is collectively referred to as pulp.
Root canal treatment, on the other hand, refers to the actual procedure of saving your tooth from acute infection or decay by:
- Removing the damaged pulp.
- Blocking off the canal with tooth filling.
- Sealing the pulp chamber with dental cement.
Sometimes you may hear root canal therapy referred to as endodontic treatment’ In case you were wondering what the word ‘endodontic’ means, it is derived from two Greek words ‘endo’, which means inside and ‘odont’, the Greek word for tooth.
When Should I Seek Treatment?
Root canal therapy is usually sought when a tooth shows a severe degree of infection. The procedure is done to avoid further corrosion or distribution of infection, which could lead to a total loss of the tooth.
Some of the signs that you may have an infected pulp include darkening of the tooth, severe tooth pain while chewing, and swelling of the gums. Experiencing these symptoms may not necessarily mean that you need endodontic treatment, but is certainly a cue to call your dentist.
What Happens During a Root Canal Treatment?
Because the soft cells in your canal produce the sensors cells, the process does require the administration of Local Anesthesia. Once the anesthesia has been administered, the dentist will remove the rotting or contaminated cells within the tooth, this is followed by filling the root canal space and finally, the space in the upper cavity of the tooth is filled.
Does a Root Canal Hurt?
One of the most common questions that we get when it pertains to root canals is whether they are painful. The procedure itself is not much different from getting a tooth filling. Hence, there is little to no pain from the treatment. However, the conditions that necessitate endodontic therapy are often painful and in some instances, some patients may experience moderate discomfort for a day or two after treatment.
That said, the notion that root canal treatment are painful developed many years ago–before the advent of modern anesthesia.
Root canal treatment can be highly effective if the tooth infection is caught early. Like most problems, the longer you wait, the more difficult it could be to treat the issue. See your dentist immediately if experience pain when chewing or eating hot and cold foods.
If you’re in the Quincy, MA area, and experience painful chewing, call Quincy High Care Dentistry today at 617-405-4524. 67 Coddington Street, Suite LL1, Quincy, MA 02169
