A root canal can be an intimidating procedure for anyone. This treatment sometimes gets a reputation for being painful and uncomfortable. The truth is, your dentist has the training and the right tools to perform one and effectively clean out infected teeth. In the most extreme cases, you may have multiple teeth in need of attention. Your dentist can evaluate the condition of all your teeth and take appropriate steps to get them healthy.
While bridges can replace missing teeth, and fillings can repair cavities, a root canal is a common process to clean out infections and decay in the pulp chamber of a tooth. Located under the enamel and dentin, this is one of the most important components of a tooth. It houses nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue. When the pulp has an infection, it can destroy the tooth and even spread to other teeth and parts of the mouth. A root canal treatment saves the tooth by removing the pulp and killing the bacteria.
A dentist can diagnose the issue with a thorough examination, including X-rays. If the decay and infection are severe enough, the root canal professional may perform an emergency procedure right away. More moderate conditions may allow the patient to wait a few days or longer. Still, no one should put off this treatment too long. People who notice the following conditions should schedule an appointment with the dentist:
Once dentists determine that this procedure is the right solution, they will use a local anesthetic to numb the patient’s mouth in the affected area. This will likely happen even if the nerves are dead, as the numbing will help put the person at ease. The dentist will then drill into the tooth and remove the pulp. After cleaning out the infected area and injecting medicine to kill the infection, the dentist will seal the tooth. If there is significant damage to the tooth, such as a fracture, the dentist will likely place a crown over it. This will help keep the tooth intact and allow the person to chew and bite normally.
A patient may have infections in the pulp of more than one tooth. Several teeth could need endodontic attention. However, most dentists will not perform more than one procedure at a time because of the amount of time it takes to do one. Also, it may be difficult for a patient to have numbing in more than one part of their mouth.
Whether you have one infected tooth or many teeth with decay and infection problems, your dentist has the right solution. A root canal treatment is a smart method to clean out the affected part to help you feel better. Call your dentist today if you are suffering from any the symptoms of damaged pulp. The sooner you get an appointment, the sooner you can improve your oral health.
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