Root canal therapy is a common dental procedure that can save a tooth from extraction. Despite its reputation for being painful and scary, root canal therapy is actually a straightforward and effective way to alleviate tooth pain and restore oral health. This blog post will explore everything you need to know about root canal therapy, including what it is, why it's necessary, and what to expect during the procedure.
What Is Root Canal Therapy?
Root canal therapy, also known as endodontic treatment, is a dental procedure that involves removing the infected or damaged pulp from inside a tooth. The pulp is the soft tissue at the center of the tooth that contains connective tissue, blood vessels, and nerves. When the pulp becomes infected or inflamed due to trauma, decay, or other factors, it can cause severe pain and lead to further complications if left untreated. During root canal therapy, the dentist removes the infected pulp, cleans and disinfects the inside of the tooth, and seals it with a filling or crown to prevent reinfection.
Why Is Root Canal Therapy Necessary?
Root canal therapy is necessary when the pulp inside a tooth becomes infected or inflamed. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including severe decay, deep cavities, cracked teeth, trauma to the tooth, or repeated dental procedures on the same tooth. If left untreated, an infected pulp can lead to abscesses, bone loss around the tip of the root, swelling in the face or neck area, and even systemic infections that can affect your overall health. By undergoing root canal therapy, you can save your natural tooth from extraction and maintain proper function in your mouth.
What Should You Expect During Root Canal Therapy?
Before starting root canal therapy, your dentist will numb the area around the affected tooth with local anesthesia to ensure you are comfortable throughout the procedure. Once you are numb, they will create a small opening in the top of the tooth to access the infected pulp inside. Using special instruments called files, they will carefully remove all traces of infection from inside the tooth and shape it for filling. After cleaning and disinfecting the inside of the tooth thoroughly, they will seal it with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha and cover it with a temporary filling or crown until a permanent restoration can be placed.
Contact a dental clinic like High Point Smile Dentistry to learn more.
Our oral surgery and general dental website offers important information on how to prevent dry socket following a tooth extraction. After getting your tooth pulled, a protective blood clot develops over the extraction site. Many of our blog posts explain how this protective clot helps promote healing after an extraction.
You'll learn that if the clot is accidentally dislodged, dry socket may occur, which can raise your risk for infection and heavy bleeding. We'll provide you with important tips on how to prevent this by avoiding smoking and drinking through a straw. You'll also learn that swishing water around your mouth should be avoided for a couple of days following your extraction because doing so creates a suction that may dislodge your clot, leading to dry socket.