Proper oral health is essential to your overall health, according to Mayo Clinic. Anyone who's ever had a toothache knows how miserable it is. It can make even regular life tasks seem far too difficult to complete. Finding relief from that pain is a priority.
There are many reasons for tooth pain. Finding the source of the pain is a focal point for your dentist, endodontist, or another oral health professional. Once they determine the cause, they can set up a treatment plan. In some cases, the pain is due to an infection in the tooth pulp, which may require a root canal.
A root canal is a dental procedure that's used to treat oral pain that comes from an infection or decay reaching the pulp, where the nerves and blood vessels are. It is a standard procedure that has a good chance of success and comes with very few risks. The benefits of the procedure far outweigh the risk for most patients. According to the American Association of Endodontists, there are more than 15 million root canals each year.
Learning a little bit about root canals might ease some of the anxiety and make you more comfortable before a procedure, and when preparing for healing time after the treatment.
A root canal is an invasive endodontic procedure that's done to try to save a person's natural tooth so they can avoid having to undergo a tooth extraction. It removes the infected and inflamed tooth pulp, so it doesn't continue to damage the tooth and cause you to have extreme oral pain.
Having root canal treatment has several advantages. It helps preserve a person's natural smile, which is essential if the issue affects a front tooth. A root canal allows them to chew properly, which is critical the problem is in a molar. It protects nearby teeth from problems that come from excessive wear.
Oral cavities are also risk factors for the human papillomavirus because HPV can live in cavity-filled teeth. Having a root canal removes that risk so you can remain healthier.
One reason for tooth pain is an infection, leading to deep decay. An infection can affect multiple layers of a tooth. While the hope is to catch an infection or decay closer to the surface, once the pulp - the innermost layer - becomes affected, a root canal is the best course of action.
The pulp of the tooth nourishes the tooth as it grows, but the tooth can survive without it once the tooth is mature. It's surrounded by a hard layer of dentin. Enamel encases the dentin. The pulp contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. Once the tooth is fully grown, there isn't any need for the pulp because the tissues around the tooth nourish it.
The enamel and dentin provide a protective capsule for the pulp. When there's damage to dentin or enamel, such as when there's an oral cavity, bacteria can get into the pulp. The dark, warm area provides the perfect environment for the bacteria to flourish.
There are many signs of the inflamed tooth pulp. Visiting your dentist is the only way to determine if you need to have a root canal done. Some of the signs that you may need a root canal include:
Anyone who has these symptoms should contact their dentist's office to schedule an appointment. The dentist will discuss your symptoms with you to determine what's going on. You'll likely have x-rays so your general dentist can determine what will help you get the relief you need from the pain and save your natural tooth.
A root canal is a procedure that's similar to a filling, but it can take longer. It takes one or two sessions. Each session should take 30 to 60 minutes unless it's a complex case. More complex root canals may take up to 90 minutes per session.
When you go in for the root canal, the root canal specialist will review the x-rays of the tooth to check the tooth's condition, so they know exactly what they need to do. Once they have that done, the procedure will begin. Here's a step-by-step account of what you can expect:
When the endodontist or dentist is performing the root canal, they'll evaluate the structure of the tooth. If it's not sufficient to hold a tooth restoration in place, they may place a post inside of the tooth.
Root canals typically don't require any time off from work or school. The local anesthetic used for the procedure will keep your mouth numb for two to four hours. It might be difficult to speak clearly during that time. You should be able to drive yourself home after the procedure unless the endodontist used IV or oral sedation for your procedure.
One restriction that's usually given after a root canal is that you should avoid eating or drinking until the area isn't numb. It's best to start by eating softer foods and slowly adding in harder foods as your discomfort subsides.
Try to avoid eating or drinking using the affected side of your mouth until you have the dental restoration completed. The temporary filling isn't as strong as the permanent restoration.
As the numbness subsides, you may have some discomfort in the area. The discomfort shouldn't be too bad and is usually manageable by using over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Typically, the discomfort should only last a few days.
Make sure you practice proper oral care after the root canal. You must keep the area clean by using good oral hygiene, including brushing and flossing your teeth as normal. It's beneficial to use an antibacterial mouthwash to help control the bacteria in your mouth.
After you have the final visit with the endodontist, you'll make an appointment with your general dentist for the affected tooth restoration. Restoration helps to protect the tooth. In most cases, a dental crown covers the tooth to protect it and allow you to use it normally.
Root canals have a success rate of up to 98%, but there's a chance that they can fail. The cause of failure is usually that the treated tooth was too damaged by the infection and inflammation. The signs of a root canal failure are the same as the signs that you need a root canal. There's also a chance that you may suffer from sinus problems if the root canal fails.
Tooth extraction is usually necessary if the root canal fails. After an extraction, you may have a dental bridge or implant to replace the missing tooth.
Root canal treatments are very common procedures in dentistry that can help to protect your natural smile while providing pain relief from a toothache that's caused by inflammation or infection of the tooth pulp. Most people don't have negative effects from the procedures when they follow aftercare instructions.
Your dentist can help you determine if you can save a natural tooth with a root canal. Proper follow-up care and oral hygiene can help prevent future problems that might lead to a root canal in another tooth or tooth extraction in a tooth that's already had a root canal.
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