Nothing can be scarier for those who grew up being afraid of a dentist than the root canal treatment. For some, the root canal has earned a bad reputation, as it treats badly infected and decayed teeth, but in reality, a root canal is a smile-saving treatment. Like other dental procedures, its idea is to restore healthy and strong teeth.
A root canal is the last step before tooth extraction and is an ideal way to save infected teeth from extraction and total decay. Thus, you can keep your teeth and have a great smile. Let’s know more about root canals.
When Do We Need a Root Canal Treatment?
A tooth’s crown is made up of a white and hard enamel layer and a dentine layer, which is also thicker. The function of these layers is to protect the tooth’s innermost soft tissues, known as the pulp. The pulp contains nerves and blood vessels extending from the crown to the tip of the root. The main purpose of root canal treatment is to remove the pulp tissues from the tooth that gets inflamed or infected.
The pulp can get infected because of extensive restoration involving fractured or cracked teeth due to excessive wear, trauma, or deep decay, which can sometimes cause severe gum problems. There could be several signs of pulp damage, which include sensitivity to hold and cold, pain, tenderness of gums, bad taste in mouth and swelling. It is worth mentioning that there could be no symptoms of a root canal at all, but if we leave it untreated, it can cause pain and supporting bone loss.
How Do Dentists Carry Out Root Canal Treatment?
The dentist performs the root canal procedure by isolating the tooth for a clean, saliva-free environment. The process can be completed in single or multiple visits, depending on the case’s complexity. The dentist may place medications within the canals between appointments and cover the tooth with temporary fillings. The following are the main steps of the root canal treatment.
- The main step is removing the infected and inflamed pulp to save the tooth. The dentist makes an opening under local anesthetic to access the infected pulp.
- The canals are cleaned with the help of the small rotary or hand files and then shaped to a form where it is possible to seal them. The dentist also removes debris by flushing the anti-bacterial solution.
- Finally, the canals are sealed with an inert material. The dentist restores the full shape and function of the tooth either by a crown or a permanent filling, but it depends on the tooth’s condition.
What are the Advantages of Root Canal?
A root canal is a dental treatment for tooth pain, extensive tooth decay or restorative needs requiring endodontic therapy. There are many reasons why saving your natural tooth can be a wise choice. Some of the main advantages of root canal treatment include:
- Elimination of temperate sensitivity
- Prevention of any further serious infections
- Pain alleviation
- Saving of natural smile
- Problems from shifting teeth are prevented
- Cost savings
With the help of the endodontic treatment, you can maintain your natural smile. Therefore, you can continue eating the foods that you like. There is no doubt that the teeth can have a root canal treatment for many years with proper care.
Gentle Root Canal treatments in Springvale, VIC 3171, Australia
Root canal treatment is relatively painless and comfortable as our tooth remains anesthetized during the entire treatment. Springvale Dental Smiles is proud to offer outstanding and gentle care to its patients. Our root canal treatments have high success rates, and we ensure your well-being and comfort are our top priorities.
If you want to learn more about root canal treatment, call Springvale Dental Smiles to schedule an appointment today!