Root Canal: Should You Undergo This Dental Procedure and Why?

Root canals and the pulp chamber that surrounds them are the two anatomical hollows inside a tooth that are typically populated by nerve fibers, blood vessels, and other biological entities. These hollows can get infected through decay, causing the tooth pulp and nerve to become irritated and infected.

The diseased pulp is treated with root canal therapy (also termed endodontic treatment). The treatment is necessary to clear the infection and safeguard the treated tooth from further microbial invasion. The tooth’s nerve and pulp can also be infected due to repeated dental procedures or cracks or cavities of the tooth.

This procedure is currently preferred to teeth removal because it saves you from crooked teeth which arise from teeth removal. However, if you’re already battling alignment, transparent teeth aligners are an aesthetic and practical way to manage this condition.

What Is a Root Canal Procedure?

Simply put, a dentist performs a root canal therapy or operation to save an infected tooth. The inflammatory pulp and nerve are removed once the canal is opened up. After that, the canal's inside is decontaminated and closed with a filling. We’ll explain these processes in detail in a bit.

Treatment of Root Canal

The extraction of these structures, disinfection, and subsequent shaping, cleansing, and disinfection of the hollows with files and irrigating solutions, as well as the filling of the sterilized canals, are all part of endodontic therapy.

Depending on the circumstances, the treatment can be complex and require numerous visits over several weeks. Nonetheless, here are the steps that you might go through when you’re undergoing a root canal procedure.

Examination of the Root Canal

A correct assessment of the dental pulp and its surrounding tissues is essential before root canal therapy. This enables the dentist to determine the most suitable treatment strategy for the tooth and associated structures, which will preserve the teeth and prevent extensive damage.

The treatment option chosen considers the tooth's projected prognosis and the patient's preferences. A complete history (including the patient's symptoms and clinical records) is required, as well as an examination (both within and outside the mouth) and diagnostic testing.

Cleaning of the Root Canal

If the pulp tissue is endangered to the point where the infection is likely or inevitable, excision of the pulp tissue is recommended to prevent infection. The dentist eliminates the infected pulp by drilling into the pulp chamber.

After an opening is made, infected pulp and irritated nerve tissue are extracted, and when completed, the area is disinfected. The use of effective antiseptics and disinfectants is required to eliminate any further infection of the canal.

Integration of Synthetic Filling

When the specialist extracts the diseased pulp and cleans up the canal, the tooth is loaded with a rubber-like polymer called gutta-percha. At the same time, adhesive cement is applied to the canal to ensure it’s well sealed.

A well-executed root canal procedure eliminates tooth pain in the patient. This is because the dentist eradicates infection and the affected nerve tissue. If pain persists after this procedure, it’s a sign that there might still be some infection in the tooth.

Placement of Crown or Cusp Protection Covering

The tooth is exceedingly vulnerable after a root canal operation and requires some protection. Synthetic crowns are augmented into the tooth to restore the tooth's normal function.

This is essential because the tooth’s structure is weakened after most of its structure has been removed. These products, along with other dental materials, help protect the tooth from further infection.

Complications of Root Canal Therapy

Like any medical procedure, root canal therapy can go awry in many ways. Here are some potential errors associated with this procedure.

Fracture of Instruments

During root canal treatment, instruments may break. This may cause a part of the metal file (used during the process) to remain inside the tooth.

However, if an adequate level of cleaning and shaping has already been performed, the file piece may be left intact. This is done to prevent further damage to the tooth.

The occurrence of metal inside a tooth is relatively common, although it can be unsettling for the patient knowing there’s something in their tooth.

Teeth Discoloration

Following root canal therapy, tooth discoloration is common; however, the exact causes remain unknown. Failure to thoroughly remove the pulp necrotic soft tissue may result in discoloration. However, there are several ways to restore the white color of your teeth, even while wearing invisible teeth aligners.

Poor Quality Filling

When the entire length of the root canal isn’t cleaned out, and it’s filled with root canal filling material, the infection may reappear.

Should You Undergo a Root Canal Procedure?

Root canal therapy is performed as a last resort to save a severely infected tooth and prevent its loss. Although this procedure has potential complications, it’s a very effective treatment if appropriately conducted. However, if you’re not entirely trusting of the procedure, you can have your teeth extracted to prevent any damage to your gum.

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FAQ

Is the root canal procedure painful?

The primary reason why people deter from this therapy is because of the preconceived idea that it’s painful. While this isn’t entirely false, a trained dentist is skilled enough to ensure the procedure is painless by numbing the area with a local anesthetic. The only pain experienced is that from the infection and not the treatment.

After the dentist concludes the therapy, they prescribe some pain medication to the patient to relieve them. Antibiotics might also be provided to the patient to prevent infection.

How expensive is a root canal procedure?

The cost of this treatment largely depends on the dentist. Nonetheless, the money you’ll spend on this procedure will be way lesser than that for tooth extraction.

Generally, it ranges from $600 to $1,400 per tooth.