Most people dread the dentist, but not coming in for your appointments causes more harm than good. Worse problems can result from poor dental hygiene, one of those being a root canal. A root canal may be needed when there is significant tooth decay, infection, trauma, or neglected treatment.
The more you understand about root canal treatment, the less there is to worry about. There are four basic steps to root canal surgery.
Assessment– The number of appointments needed for root canal therapy varies based on severity. Some clients may need more than one procedure, and others may only need one. When you arrive for your procedure, the tooth will be numbed so that you don’t feel any pain. An x-ray is then taken for doctor’s reference during the root canal. In addition, any infected tooth may require the use of antibiotics in the days preceding the surgery.
Preparation– After the x-ray is ready, your dentist will use a plastic rubber dam over your mouth. Because the dentist uses chemicals during the procedure, the dam is imperative to keeping chemicals out of your mouth. The guard also isolates the tooth, keeping the tooth and area around it dry for the surgery.
Procedure – The procedure begins by the dentist drilling into where the nerve of the tooth is located, also known as the pulp chamber. The tools your dentist will use are files, which remove the nerve. The point of the surgery is that the entire nerve or infection gets removed in order to alleviate the problem. Some files are handheld, and some are mechanical. Once the dentist removes all the nerve and infection, the procedure is over. However, determining that they got the entire root can be the most difficult part. Another x-ray may be needed, and the dentist needs to ensure that he’s reaching as close to the tooth as possible. After the dentist has removed all of the nerve, the tooth must be fully dried out. Your dentist will then seal the tooth using a rubber material.
Recovery– Based on the procedure, your dentist will either temporarily fill the tooth or permanently fill it. More often than not, a crown is recommended for full healing of the tooth, which will prevent decay due to the lack of nerve. Your dentist may give you painkillers post-procedure for when the numbing wears off. Pain can be relieved by applying an ice pack to the affected area, which will also help reduce any swelling.
Remember that while you may not want to go in for your dental check-up, sweeping problems under the rug could result in infection or decay, leading to a root canal. Come in to your favorite Catonsville dentists today to prevent the need for root canal surgery!
If you have any questions about Teeth Whitening, or wish to schedule an appointment, please contact Leikin & Baylin Dental Care of Catonsville, Maryland by calling 410-747-1115 or visit CatonsvilleDentalCare.com.
Dr. Leikin and Dr. Baylin of Leikin & Baylin Dental Care of Catonsville offer high quality, comprehensive dental care.
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Source: What is a Root Canal?