Most people associate root canal therapy with lots of pain. However, if your dentist suggests that you need it, then you really need it. It will help get rid of dead pulp from the root canal of your tooth and help alleviate any pain that you were experiencing.
There are various symptoms that you may experience that indicate you may need this type of procedure. Swelling near the gums is a common sign. One of the most common however is recurring tooth pain. Pimples may also appear on the gums on a recurring basis.
Root canal therapy isn’t performed over the course of one visit. Instead, you will need to go back several times. During the initial visit, you will receive local anesthetic to allow drilling into the crown down into the pulp chamber. All diseased pulp is then removed from the chamber before it’s shaped into a form that can be filled more easily.
It’s possible that the tooth can be infected again before the next visit. To prevent this from happening, medication may be placed in the pulp chamber and it will then receive a temporary filling. You may also be prescribed antibiotics to prevent infections.
When you go back to the dentist, the tooth is opened back up to ensure that there is no decay left. If all has been removed, your root canal is filled with gutta-percha, a rubberlike substance, before being sealed on a permanent basis. The rubberlike substance helps prevent the tooth from becoming infected again.
After the root canal procedure has been done, you may be given a crown to place over the tooth. This will drastically improve its appearance so that it doesn’t have to be removed for aesthetic reasons. The crown can be made from various materials such as porcelain, gold, or metal alloy.
After undergoing root canal therapy, you will likely experience some discomfort for a few days. This will be caused by tissue inflammation that occurs naturally. You can get a bit of relief by purchasing an over-the-counter analgesic until the inflammation subsides.
You will need to go back to the dentist soon to ensure that the area has healed appropriately. You will also need to schedule regular visits. If you have had a root canal, then you will need to take proper care of your teeth to avoid having it done again.
At a minimum, you will need to brush twice a day as your dentist suggests. Flossing will also help get rid of food particles that brushing doesn’t remove. The tooth that you had the procedure done on shouldn’t be used to chew on harder foods for a while if you can help it.
Most people fear root canal therapy because of the pain involved. However, you won’t have many options. If you don’t have it done, then you will need to get the tooth extracted. The resulting space can prompt your remaining teeth to switch positions, developing into a bad bite.
JUL
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