Tips for Root Canal Aftercare
A root canal is a dental technique devised to treat infection or damage within the pulp (the innermost chamber) of the tooth. While the procedure has a reputation for being painful, thanks …
Understanding a root canal, and what we do when we are performing one, can go a long way to setting your mind at ease during the process itself. Many people fear dental surgery, so we want to make sure that you understand that this is one of the most routine surgeries we perform. The first step, to getting a root canal, is to have a series of x-rays. The x-rays serve a dual purpose. First, they tell us if there is a widespread infection that requires a course of antibiotics to cure, and second they give us a picture of the root which includes the shape and dimensions of the root canal itself.
As a root canal dentist, we will always start the procedure by giving you a localized anesthesia. In most cases, this is probably not required since the tooth may be dead. However, given that we do not want to have you experience any discomfort, the local anesthesia will completely numb the tooth and surrounding gums ensuring that you do not feel anything. Once you are completely numb, we will place a dental dam over the tooth. A dental dam is a rubber sheet which acts to prevent the tooth from having saliva or excessive moisture on it during the procedure.
The next step is to get to the actual root and clean it out the chamber and dental pulp. A small access hole will be drilled in the tooth itself, giving us the ability to reach the root. The root will be removed, and the infected pulp will be removed. A series of dental files, in increasing diameter, will be pushed into the cavity. This scrapes the walls of the root canal, making sure that all infected tissue is removed and that it is completely cleaned out. While this is going on the dental team will flush the cavity repeatedly with water or sodium hypochlorite, to remove any debris and keep it clean. Once we are satisfied that the root canal is completely free of tissue, we will seal the canal with a sealer paste and a rubber compound known as Gutta Percha to prevent a reinfection from occurring. Finally, the outer access hole will be covered with a regular tooth filling. If necessary, we will finalize the procedure by applying a dental crown to the tooth in order to protect it. As a root canal dentist, we can do all of this while ensuring your comfort.
A root canal is a dental technique devised to treat infection or damage within the pulp (the innermost chamber) of the tooth. While the procedure has a reputation for being painful, thanks …
Dentists use root canals to save teeth that are badly infected. Sometimes, due to damage or decay, the inner part of the tooth becomes infected. However, the tooth may not have to …
Patients typically do not feel much discomfort during root canal therapy, but there is likely to be discomfort during the recovery process. It is helpful to become familiar with the likely …
The term root canal treatment refers to the inner chamber between the tooth roots and the pulp, and also to the dental treatment for removing infected pulp material. Tooth infections can …
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