In case you haven’t heard or read about it before, a root canal pain treatment is an in-depth procedure that is performed to remove the pulp from your teeth. The pulp of the tooth is what causes pain and a lot of discomforts. It also harbors bacteria, dead cells, and toxins from your mouth that can cause serious problems if left untreated. If you have started feeling some pain in any of your teeth, do not panic but take immediate action to avoid any serious complications. Visit a dentist as soon as possible. A root canal will help you get rid of those paining molars for good! In this article, we will help you understand what a root canal treatment entails so that you feel more confident about getting one done when the time comes.
What is a Root Canal?
A root canal pain treatment is the process of removing the pulp from your teeth and cleaning up the inner portion of your tooth, the area where the pulp is present. Once the pulp and the tooth are removed, the root of the tooth is filled with a sealant to prevent it from decaying and causing infection in the mouth. For root canals, the dentist will make an opening inside your tooth, remove the pulp, then clean and disinfect the inside of the tooth before filling it with an inert material to keep it from getting infected.
There are two main types of root canals: the endodontic root canal and the apicoectomy root canal pain treatment. Both procedures are performed to remove bacteria from the pulp of a tooth that has become infected and inflamed. The main difference between the two procedures is that the endodontic root canal involves removing the entire pulp and replacing it with an inert material, while the apicoectomy root canal only removes the inflamed pulp and the bacteria surrounding it, but keeps the tooth intact by using filling material.
What Happens During a Root Canal?
The first step in the root canal procedure is to thoroughly clean out the infected area. This is done using a disinfectant like sodium hypochlorite. An anesthetic is then administered to numb the area and some high-speed dental tools are used to chip away the infected soft tissues inside the tooth along with a tiny portion of the tooth root. A rubber or plastic filling called a “capping” is then placed over the drilled-out portion of the tooth to seal the open space.
Finally, the tooth is filled with a disinfectant like sodium hydroxide or calcium hydroxide to kill any remaining bacteria inside it. The entire procedure takes about an hour and is done under local anesthesia so that you won’t feel any pain. The dentist will probably put a temporary filling in the tooth after the procedure, and you might be instructed to take antibiotics to prevent any infection from developing.
Why Do We Need to Perform a Root Canal?
There are many reasons why you might require a root canal treatment. Some of them are:
– Severe toothache
– This is the most common symptom of a tooth infection. If a toothache is severe and lasts longer than a few days, it’s a sign that you need to see a dentist as soon as possible.
– Swelling and redness around the tooth
– If you feel pain in your teeth accompanied by swelling and redness in the gums, it also indicates that the infection has spread to the surrounding tissues in your mouth.
– Abnormal tooth mobility
– If you notice that one of your teeth has become loose, it probably means that the tissues supporting it are degenerating. If the condition worsens, the tooth might get detached from your gums and fall out.
– Bad breath
– If you notice that your breath smells bad, it could be a sign of a gum disease that has progressed to the stage where it can cause foul breath. Brushing and flossing your teeth regularly is not enough to avoid gum diseases. You need to visit your dentist twice a year for a thorough oral health checkup.
– A change in the tooth’s color
– Yellow or brown discoloration in your teeth is another warning sign that you have a tooth infection. A root canal is the best way to treat this condition.
Side Effects of a Root Canal
– Swelling and Pain – The most common side effects of a root canal procedure include swelling, pain and redness in the gums, and sensitivity to hot, cold, and sweet foods. Most of these symptoms should subside within a few days after the treatment. – Loose teeth – Very rarely, a root canal surgery can cause teeth to become loose. This can happen if the dentist makes a mistake while performing the procedure. – Longer treatment time – Root canals take longer than the usual dental procedures because the dentist has to be very careful while removing the infected tissues inside the tooth.
How to Manage the Pain After Root Canal Treatment?
If you are feeling a little anxious about the pain you might feel after root canal treatment, we have some good news for you! Most people do not feel as much pain during and after a root canal as they think they will. Still, if you are worried, try to remember these tips: If you follow these tips, you should be able to manage the pain after root canal treatment with ease.
Conclusion
Root canal pain treatment are very common dental procedures that are performed to remove the inflamed pulp from the teeth. The procedure is generally very safe, but it is important to make sure that you visit a trusted dentist for the procedure. For people with a high dental anxiety, visiting the dentist can be a very scary experience. If you need a root canal, don’t be afraid! It’s a very common procedure and it is completely safe.
