If you’ve been told that you need root canal treatment, you might be feeling a little apprehensive, and you’ll probably have questions about the procedure. The good news is that the treatment is highly effective, especially when carried out by a skilled and experienced, friendly dentist such as Smith Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Wilmington, NC. Let’s demystify the process by assessing what’s involved.
Demystifying Root Canal Treatment: A Step-by-Step Guide
Firstly, it’s important to note that this type of treatment is typically carried out over two or more appointments. You will have an initial appointment to assess what’s needed beforehand. This is a good opportunity to ask questions and know exactly what will happen.
X-Rays and Consultation
Before the treatment, your dentist will usually take X-rays to assess the extent of the tooth damage and prepare for the work. This will confirm the extent of the damage and guide the right treatment. The dentist will discuss your options. The subsequent treatment may then be scheduled for a follow-up date.
Preparation and Anesthetic
The procedure itself is usually delivered under a local anesthetic. This will numb the affected tooth and the surrounding gum so you don’t feel pain while the dentist works. If the tooth has died, the dentist may not need to use any local anesthetic, because there will be no nerve sensitivity.
The Tooth Pulp Is Removed
The dentist will place a dam (rubber sheet) around the tooth so that it stays dry during the procedure. This dam also ensures you don’t breathe in chemicals or swallow while the work takes place. The anesthetic is applied and once it’s active, the dentist will drill into the crown of your tooth. This is the flat bit at the top and will be the entrance point for the canal work. From here, the dentist can access the infected soft pulp inside your tooth and remove it.
Sometimes, a patient will also have a dental abscess. This is a swelling filled with pus, and the dentist can drain it before continuing with the canal work. This alone usually provides great relief to the patient.
The Tooth Is Cleaned and Filled
Once the dentist has removed the infected pulp, he or she will clean the canal to the root of the tooth and then enlarge it. This is because the canal is narrow and hard to fill without manual work to make it bigger and more accessible. The canals are treated with small metal dental files, to enlarge and shape the space. This process will take several hours and may require more than one visit, depending on the tooth being treated.
Your biting teeth (canine and front incisor) typically have one canal and a single root. However, the chewing teeth (back molar and premolars) have one to two canals and two to three roots. The greater the number of roots, the longer the treatment period.
If More Than One Treatment Is Needed
If you need more than one treatment for filing, your dentist will usually place a small amount of antibacterial medicine into the cleaned canal to prevent further infection between treatments. He or she will then add a temporary filling and may provide antibiotics if you are experiencing significant swelling or a raised temperature from the tooth infection.
The Tooth Is Sealed and Fixed
When you return for more treatment, the temporary filling and medicine inside the tooth canal will be removed. The dentist will then insert the filling into both the canal and the tooth itself. This will seal the tooth to prevent any reinfection. Sometimes the dentist will also add a crown to the tooth.
The Dentist May Recommend a Crown
Sometimes the dentist will add a crown to the treated tooth. The root canal treatment process can leave teeth more fragile and at risk of breakage. The crown is a cap designed to cover the entire tooth and protect it. It can be made from porcelain, powdered glass, ceramic, or metal.
The dentist takes a mold of your teeth to ensure accurate sizing, and then drills your tooth to make it smaller, before adding the cap. Cement is used to glue your trimmed tooth to the crown. If the earlier root canal treatment has left you with only a small amount of tooth, the dentist may secure a post into the canal to keep the crown secure.
Follow Up Work: Whitening
Sometimes a treated tooth will change colour and become darker. This is a signal that the tooth has died. In this instance, your dentist will advise on whitening solutions to tackle the discoloration. These can include bleaching. It’s best to have any tooth whitening with bleach at your dentist because they will ensure that the solution is targeted to the affected area, and prevent any damage to soft tissues.
Questions About Root Canal Treatment
1. Why Is This Procedure Necessary?
If your tooth experiences decay or gum disease, it can be a sign of infection. If this infection is left untreated and spreads, it can result in permanent damage that requires a tooth extraction. The root canal process removes the infected tooth material and can remove the need for tooth removal or artificial replacement.
2. What Is the Treatment’s Success Rate?
Generally speaking, around 90% of teeth treated in this way will survive for eight to ten years. The survival rate is maximized when a crown is added. For the best results, patients in Wilmington NC are advised to keep their teeth as clean as possible with excellent oral hygiene. Sometimes issues can occur and the infection returns. In this case, the treatment can be repeated.
3. What Is Tooth Pulp?
The tooth pulp is found within the hard outer shell of your tooth. It is a soft tissue that contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. It also allows you to feel hot and cold sensations. It’s essential that tooth pulp remains healthy, or it can become infected and compromise the entire tooth.
4. What Is the Recovery Time?
With modern dentistry advances, this treatment is now quick and relatively painless. Most patients resume their typical activities within a day. Over-the-counter painkillers may be recommended if there is discomfort.
5. Is It Painful?
This therapy can now be almost painless if you choose a reputable dentist, such as Smith Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Wilmington, NC. This is because highly trained dentists use cutting-edge techniques and the latest equipment to work as precisely and as delicately as possible, minimizing any trauma to the surrounding tissues and speeding up recovery time.
Discover the Smith Family & Cosmetic Dentistry Difference
For happy, healthy smiles, Smith Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Wilmington, NC is your first choice. Our highly skilled experts offer gentle and compassionate care designed to make our patients look and feel great, with a supportive, quality service from experienced professionals. We’re conveniently located and offer dentistry services to all ages, including orthodontics, dental implants, cosmetic surgery, TMD, and sleep apnea treatments.
Visit Smith Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Wilmington, NC, or check out our Sneads Ferry, Goldsboro, Jacksonville, Surf City, Porters Neck, and Hampstead locations. Alternatively, call our friendly team today to find out more. We’re here to help and book you in fast for a quality dental treatment you can trust!