Root Canal Treatment
Getting to the Root of Your PainRoot Canal Treatment
Getting to the Root of Your Discomfort
If left undiagnosed or untreated, advanced tooth decay can spread deep into the pulp of your tooth and can cause irreversible damage to the nerve- not to mention a very painful and persistent toothache, or abscess.
If this ‘pulpitis’ or pulp inflammation is caught in its early stages it can sometimes be treated with a simple filling. However, if the pulpitis has caused an abscess we may need to perform a root canal (or endodontic) treatment. This consists of removing the pulp and sterilising the root canal.
Rather than needing to extract the tooth, the treatment will stop the pain and protect it from further damage. If this procedure is not carried out, you may be at risk of losing the tooth entirely.
The Benefits of a Root Canal Treatment
Although root canal treatments can have a bit of a reputation, there are a number of surprising advantages, such as:
Saving your natural tooth
Natural teeth are far better for chewing, biting, and speaking compared to dentures or implants
Pain relief
A root canal treats the infected pulp of the tooth. Once the infection is gone, so is the pain
Prevents infection spread
The infection in your tooth can spread to surrounding teeth and even your jawbone. A root canal treatment prevents it from going any further
Preserves your smile
Root canals help you keep your natural tooth structure intact
Relatively painless procedure
Modern dentistry techniques and anaesthesia make the treatment more comfortable than in the past. In fact, most people experience less discomfort during root canal recovery than they would after a tooth extraction.
Cost-effective
While the initial cost of a root canal may seem high, it’s generally less expensive than extracting the tooth and replacing it with a bridge or implant
With proper care, a root canal-treated tooth can last for many years or even a lifetime.
The Process
What Happens During a Root Canal Treatment
During the root canal treatment, your Camough Dental professional will carefully remove the infected pulp material from the root of the tooth.
Once the infected material is completely removed, your dentist will clean and fill the tooth to protect it from further decay.
Rest assured that a local anaesthetic is used so you will feel minimal discomfort.
Finally, your tooth will be restored with either a crown or a filling, depending on the strength of the tooth and the amount of material that was removed.
Aftercare for Your Root Canal Treatment
Here are some key aftercare tips to promote healing and protect your treated tooth:
Pain management
Some mild soreness or discomfort is normal after a root canal. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen should manage any pain easily
Diet
Stick to soft foods for the first few days after your root canal and avoid hard, chewy, or sticky foods that might dislodge a temporary filling or crown
Be gentle
Brush and floss your teeth as usual, but be gentle around the treated tooth
Sensitivity
Your tooth might be sensitive but it should go away in a few days
Temporary crown care
If you received a temporary crown, avoid chewing gum or hard foods on that side of your mouth. Let your dentist know if the temporary crown becomes loose or damaged
Minimise smoking
Smoking can hinder healing and increase the risk of complications
Maintain good oral hygiene
Brushing and flossing daily is crucial for the healing process and overall oral health
By following these aftercare tips, you can help ensure a smooth and successful recovery. If, however, you experience any significant pain, swelling, or other concerning symptoms, be sure to contact your Camlough dentist right away.
FAQs
Will my tooth be as strong as a regular tooth after the root canal?
Once the infected material from deep within the tooth is removed, we may recommend placing a crown to provide extra support and help prevent any cracking or breaking of the remaining natural tooth. It won’t necessarily be as strong as a fully natural tooth but it will be a very durable and, if looked after properly, long lasting solution.
Is the root canal treatment painful?
Because it is a fairly invasive procedure we take great care to do everything we can to make sure the process is as pain free as possible. In some cases, we may ‘settle’ your tooth beforehand with a sedative dressing and give you antibiotics and/or anti-inflammatory drugs before we begin. We may also use local anaesthesia to numb the surrounding area and we offer relaxing gas for our more nervous patients.
Will the infection come back after the root canal treatment?
Our Camlough Dental team is trained to the very highest standards so the procedure should be very successful. There are, however, rare times when the infection returns and we need to repeat the treatment. By following our aftercare guidelines you can keep your tooth healthy and greatly reduce any chances of the infection coming back.
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