The American Association of Endodontists defines root canal therapy as a dental procedure that removes the infected or inflamed pulp from your tooth, then thoroughly cleans and disinfects it before filling and sealing it. A root canal focuses on preservation; its goal is not to remove your tooth but to keep it as healthy as possible. Your natural tooth is designed for your face, bite, and jaw, and nothing can replace it the same way.
An Overview of Tooth Canal Therapy
Root canal therapy is a procedure an endodontist performs to treat inflammation or infection in a tooth. To understand this endodontic treatment option, it is helpful to understand your tooth's anatomy.
Inside your tooth, beneath the dentin and enamel, is the pulp. The soft tissue contains blood vessels, connective tissue, and nerves that help your tooth's root grow during development. A fully developed tooth can live without its pulp since the surrounding tissues continue to nourish your tooth.
The treatment involves removing the inflamed or infected nerves and pulp in the root of your tooth, cleaning and shaping your root canal, and finally filling and sealing the space. The treatment does not damage your tooth, but after the therapy is complete, your tooth will function normally.
Ways to Know Whether You Require Root Canal Therapy
The infection or inflammation can be due to repeated dental treatments on your tooth, a chip or crack in your tooth, or extensive decay. Additionally, trauma to your tooth can damage the pulp even when there are no visible cracks or chips.
Here are signs and symptoms that you might be eligible for the treatment:
- Serious pain while biting or chewing
- Pimples on your gums
- A cracked or chipped tooth
- Sensitivity to cold or heat, even after your dentist has removed sensation
- Tender or swoon gum
- Tooth darkening or extensive decay
If you leave your infected or inflamed pulp untreated, it can result in an abscess that spreads to nearby tissues or cause pain. Hesitating to seek professional treatment can cause tooth loss; with advanced furcation, it may be too late for root canal therapy, and your tooth may require extraction.
Importance of Saving Your Natural Teeth with Tooth Canal Therapy
According to a study conducted by the American Association of Endodontists, approximately ninety-five percent of Americans believe it is essential to save their natural teeth. The main reasons the participants gave were that it gives a person a better appearance and it is healthier.
While there are numerous reasons for requiring root canal therapy, there are other reasons why saving your natural teeth is wise, including the following:
- It is a virtually painless dental treatment— Root canal therapy leaves patients with minimal discomfort during healing compared to natural tooth extraction. Thanks to anesthesia and advanced dental technology, patients who undergo root canal treatment are more likely to depict the treatment as painless than individuals who undergo tooth extraction.
- Cost-effective and efficient —Tooth extraction treatment could be more time-consuming than root canal therapy due to the follow-up dental appointments essential for an implant, bridge, or denture. The tooth extraction might also be more expensive. Most dental health insurance providers cover root canal therapy.
- Visually appealing outcome—Crowns placed on the tooth after the root canal procedure function and look like your natural teeth.
- With missing teeth due to tooth extraction, you risk experiencing jawbone loss in the gap. Chewing and biting help maintain jawbone mass. When you have a missing tooth, the gap does not receive the stimulation it needs and can start to resorb (break down).
- With a gap, your remaining teeth can become misaligned, loosen, or move into the gap. The misalignment can make it challenging to chew or bite. Additionally, tooth drifting can destabilize its roots, resulting in outright loss or a wobbly tooth.
- When you cannot chew or bite your food properly without experiencing pain, you might choose to eat only specific foods that might not provide you with every nutrient you require. It can take a toll on your health.
- Missing a tooth can be embarrassing and can affect your self-esteem. You can even start to avoid social settings.
How Root Canal Therapy Saves Your Tooth and Overall Health
The root canal therapy has many advantages that could save your natural tooth, including the following:
- Prevents further decay —Typically, a dentist might recommend root canal therapy after tooth decay has compromised the pulp chamber. If you have an extensive tooth cavity, it can create a pathway via which bacteria can enter the nerves and blood vessels in the tooth. During treatment, your dentist will remove the bacteria and seal off any openings into your tooth, preventing further decay.
- Strengthening your tooth structure—After your tooth has a cavity, it becomes prone to different dental issues, including infections and cracks. The root canal treatment strengthens the tooth's structure and prevents it from fracturing during use. Additionally, your dentist inserts gutta-percha into the space, ensuring that your tooth is not brittle and hollow.
- Prevent systemic infection— A compromised tooth pulp can also affect your overall health. It is impossible to brush away the bacteria under the pup chamber; therefore, they can multiply and cause infection. The infection in the tooth can access the tooth's blood vessels and travel to other parts of the body via the circulatory system, causing certain diseases. In other words, root canal therapy also helps preserve your overall health.
Preparing for the Procedure
Preparing for treatment can increase your treatment success and accelerate your recovery.
Ask the Dentist Questions and Concerns
If you have concerns or questions before your treatment, book time to consult your dentist. Inquire about different anesthesia options and if you should take medication before the appointment. Additionally, discuss your aftercare guidelines.
Your Diet before Your Procedure
During your treatment, your dentist will administer anesthesia, and the numbness can last for many hours. The numbness can impact your capability to eat. Consequently, your dentist can advise you whether to eat beforehand.
Avoid Dietary Supplements
Discuss your dietary supplements with the dentist to know whether you should avoid them before the therapy. Perfect examples of supplements that could have negative effects include turmeric, ginger, valerian root, ginseng, fish oil, and vitamin E. The supplements can prevent clotting or are blood thinners. Others can interfere with anesthesia.
Avoid Alcoholic Products or Tobacco before the Treatment
You might experience an adverse reaction to local anesthesia if you have tobacco or alcohol in your bloodstream. Nicotine in tobacco can impact blood flow and could result in bleeding issues before and after your treatment. Alcohol can also lead to dry mouth, which could impact your recovery.
Find Ways to Remain Relaxed throughout the Treatment
If you feel anxious about the treatment or your dental appointment, find methods to help you remain relaxed. You can listen to an audiobook, your favorite music, or a podcast.
Prepare for after Your Treatment
To ensure you have what you require to recover, stock up on everything you require. It can be food, drinks, and medication.
What to Expect During the Treatment
Typically, root canal therapy is performed in two appointments. At the initial appointment, the dentist removes the infected pulp. At the second appointment, the dentist cleans your tooth and places a crown to prevent further infection. Every dental appointment lasts about ninety minutes.
Your endodontist will administer local anesthesia and numb only the tooth that requires treatment. Nevertheless, sedation options vary by endodontist, and it is advisable to consult your dentist about their policy.
Your endodontist will examine and perform an X-ray of your tooth and administer local anesthesia. After your tooth is numb, your dentist will place a tiny protective sheet, called a dental dam, over the area, isolating your tooth to keep it free of saliva and clean during root canal therapy.
Your endodontist will open the crown of your tooth. The dentist will use tiny instruments to clean the tooth pulp from your root canal and pulp chamber and to shape the space left for tooth filling.
After cleaning and shaping the space, the endodontist will fill the root canal using gutta-percha (a biocompatible, rubber material). The endodontist will place the gutta-percha alongside dental cement to ensure proper sealing of your root canals. They will use temporary filing to close your opening. Your dentist will remove the filling before restoring your tooth.
Finally, your dentist will place a restoration, like a dental crown, on your tooth to safeguard and restore its functionality.
If your tooth does not have sufficient structure to support a restoration, the dentist will place a post in the tooth. Request more information from the dentist about the most effective restoration option.
The procedure can take about thirty minutes to an hour if your tooth has one canal. However, you should be prepared to spend approximately ninety minutes in your dentist's chair for the treatment. The procedure takes time because the nerve should be carved out, rinsed, and disinfected. Preparation, setup, and administering anesthesia can also take time.
Tips to Promote Recovery
Attention to recovery and proper care can substantially improve long-term results, effectiveness, and comfort. Following the tips below can ensure optimal outcomes and maintain your oral health.
Take it easy. After your treatment, take time to rest. If the dentist sedated you, you might be drowsy; therefore, you should avoid driving or doing anything that requires concentration. Avoid bending or lifting anything that could dislodge your blood clots and cause bleeding.
It is normal to experience some pain after the treatment. Begin with pain medication before the anesthesia fades away. Begin with ibuprofen unless your dentist advises you otherwise. Avoid using Aspirin and blood thinners until your dentist advises you otherwise. If you cannot take Ibuprofen, consider taking acetaminophen every six hours.
If your dentist prescribed antibiotics, follow the instructions. Note that antibiotics can affect the efficiency of contraceptives. Contact your dentist if you have any concerns. If you experience an adverse reaction, including itching, rashes, or nausea, after taking your medication, discontinue it and consult your dentist immediately.
Avoid pulling or lifting your lip to look at the treatment area. Doing so repeatedly can slow your recovery.
You might experience bruising and swelling after the procedure. To help with swelling, apply an ice pack over your treatment area for about 20 minutes at a time, for about 3 hours. Avoid sleeping with ice on your face and using ice for more than 6 hours. Also, ensure you place a thin cloth between your skin and the ice.
Drinking adequate water and eating enough food will help the region heal faster. Avoid drinking hot fluids and eating crunchy foods in the first three days after the treatment.
Starting the next day after the treatment, rinse your mouth with warm salty water before sleeping and after meals. You can also use a mouth rinse. It will keep the treatment region clean and promote healing. You can continue flossing and brushing your teeth normally, apart from the treated area.
It is normal to experience minimal bleeding or oozing for the first week after the treatment. However, you should contact your dentist if the bleeding persists.
Avoid smoking. The nicotine in chewing tobacco and cigarettes can cause a decrease in blood flow to the region that is healing. The healing can take longer to recover due to the harmful impact of nicotine on the production of cells.
Contact an Experienced Dentist Near Me
When your tooth is severely infected or damaged, you might assume tooth extraction is the only option. Preserving your natural teeth whenever possible is the primary goal of Lasting Impressions Dental Spa, and root canal therapy can help you achieve that objective. The root canal treatment goes beyond treating the infection. It is about preserving your natural tooth, protecting your long-term oral health, and maintaining oral function. We can help you understand the pros and cons of the procedure so that you can make an informed decision. Please contact our Encino office at 818-751-5100 to learn whether we can help you preserve your natural teeth and protect your function and smile.
