When people learn that they need a root canal treatment, they usually think will be painful. In fact, the pain associated with a root canal is caused by an infection in the tooth, not by the treatment. A root canal procedure actually eliminates the pain!
Root canal treatment is an effective method to save a severely damaged or decayed tooth. The procedure involves the removal of the infected part or pulp or inside of the tooth, cleaning the tooth and filling it then sealing it. The factors that result in a damaged or infected pulp are a deep cavity, cracked tooth, trauma or injury or repeated dental procedures or treatment.
When the pulp of a tooth is damaged, the bacteria start to multiply and spread within the pulp chamber. This can lead to an infection or an abscess. An abscess is a pocket filled with pus that forms at the end of the tooth’s roots. An abscess occurs when the infection has already spread to many areas all the way past the roots of the tooth. An infection of the pulp can also cause the following conditions:
- Swelling or inflammation that spreads to the other body parts including the neck, face and head
- Drainage problems that begin from the roots, extending outward to the gums or through the skin which drains into the skin
- Bone loss at the tip part of the roots
Before the procedure, we will administer local anesthesia to numb the tooth that needs treatment and its surrounding areas. A tiny hole is drilled through the biting surface of the tooth to gain access to the pulp chamber. After the drilling, the infected pulp is removed. Then, the root canals are cleaned and disinfected, and the tooth is filled with a material called gutta-percha. The tooth will be restored using a dental crown to protect and strengthen it. After the treatment, we may prescribe an antibiotic and will also give you some instructions that you need to follow carefully to minimize the after-effects of the treatment.
to learn more about root canal treatment or to schedule an appointment, please call our office at 630-545-1116.