Decaying teeth do not ever stop decaying without treatment. A root canal treatment becomes necessary to save the tooth, especially as an infected tooth can lead to significant pain. Treatment is painless. The only discomfort you will feel is at the end after the dentist finishes the treatment.
From local anesthesia to dental dams, it is helpful to know what to expect. A root canal treatment is not too difficult to understand. It also does not take that long to complete. Read through this part of the guide to understand the procedure.
The first step is local anesthesia. It is applied before treatment begins. Successful treatment means the mouth is completely numb. A dentist will not start until the patient cannot feel a thing.
A dental dam is a sheet of vinyl or rubber that isolates the affected tooth. All surrounding teeth are blocked. Doing this creates a sterile environment for the dentist to work. Dental dams also prevent the spread of other bacteria in the mouth.
Drilling sounds scary, but it is not as bad as one might think. The dentist decides where to drill a small hole into the tooth. This hole gives the dentist access to the inside of the tooth. It is painless, thanks to the applied numbing agent.
Inside the tooth, the dentist will find infected or inflamed tissue. The dentist uses special dental tools to remove the tissues inside. Once the root and pulp are removed, the site will lose feeling, and the tooth will no longer hurt. The area is then disinfected and shaped to prepare for the filling and sealant.
After all the debris is clear, it is time to fill the canal and apply a sealant. The filling is made of a rubbery material called gutta-percha. Once the filling is applied, it is set permanently by using a cement sealer. The sealant protects the tooth and prevents any other bacteria from entering to avoid future infection.
Once the tooth has been filled and sealed, the procedure is over. The dentist removes the dental dam, and the patient is instructed regarding aftercare. If the filling is temporary, an additional appointment is necessary for the permanent filling. Antibiotics are prescribed to prevent infection following the root canal treatment.
Once the course of antibiotics is complete, the last step is making a follow-up appointment. The dentist needs to make sure the discomfort is gone. If a crown is required, this is when it will be put in place. The goal is to provide long-lasting, permanent results to prevent future infection.
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Once you are home and the anesthesia wears off, you might feel some minor discomfort. All you need are over-the-counter pain relievers. It should not last more than a couple of days. If the pain does not go away and is persistent, contact your dentist as soon as possible because there may be something wrong.
Request an appointment or call Relax and Smile Dental Care at 305-740-1444 for an appointment in our Miami office.
Root canal treatment might be recommended if you have a damaged, decayed, or infected tooth. The procedure is usually recommended when the damage to a tooth leaves its pulp chamber compromised. This is the sealed-off, innermost layer of a tooth that houses its blood vessels and nerves. The pulp chamber of a tooth being opened…
Root canal treatment is a common dental procedure performed to save a damaged, decayed, or infected tooth from becoming lost or causing more concerning symptoms. It is important to understand the causes and warning signs that indicate a possible need for a root canal.The most notable and common causes for root canal treatment are an…
Root canal treatment is performed to prevent and treat infection in a tooth’s pulp. The term “pulp” refers to the soft tissues housed in a tooth’s pulp chamber. This is the innermost layer of a tooth’s crown, and it is sealed off from the rest of a tooth to prevent oral bacteria and the acids…