5 Steps to Diagnose Whether you Need a Root Canal

A root canal treatment avoids the need to extract a tooth affected by pulpitis.

When a tooth suffers some surface damage, it is usually possible to repair it with some simple restorative treatment. But what happens if the damage also reaches the inside of the tooth?

Before answering this question, it is necessary to know that teeth are not just a piece of solid bone. The tooth’s outer part is made up of enamel (the protective layer of the tooth) and dentin (the part of the dental tissue that is under the enamel). Inside the tooth is the dental pulp; this is a soft tissue made up of nerves and blood vessels. The primary function of the dental pulp is to produce dentin during tooth development.

When the damage on the tooth’s outside also reaches the dental pulp, an infection and inflammation known as “pulpitis” can occur. Pulpitis causes the death of dental pulp tissue, which is very painful for the patient.

In cases where the dental pulp has been affected, it is necessary to perform a root canal treatment.

What is a root canal treatment?

Root canal treatment is a procedure by which the dental pulp is extracted, and the tooth is sealed with a dental resin, thus eliminating infection and pain. After the dental pulp is removed, the tooth is completely numb.

Root canal treatments are also known as endodontic.

Root canal treatment is the only option when a tooth suffers from pulpitis, and the patient does not want the tooth to be extracted.

Step by Step

1. The first stage is the diagnosis. The dentist reviews the tooth to ensure that the damage has reached the dental pulp and that it is necessary (and possible) to perform a root canal treatment.
2. Then, the dentist applies local anesthesia to the tooth area to be treated to prevent the patient from feeling pain. If the tooth suffers from an infection, the anesthesia would have no effect, so it would be necessary to postpone the procedure. The patient would receive antibiotics to clear the infection before root canal treatment can be performed.
3. A hole is then made in the crown of the tooth to access the dental pulp.
4. In the next step, the dentist extracts the dental pulp from inside the tooth and cleans the canals to make them aseptic and free of bacteria.
5. Finally, the dentist fills the inside of the tooth with resin, thus sealing the canals. It may be necessary for the dentist to place a crown to protect the tooth.

After the procedure is finished, the dentist will take an X-ray and make a new check on the tooth to ensure the effectiveness of the treatment.

Is root canal treatment painful?

Because the procedure is performed under local anesthesia, the patient will not feel any pain. However, during the following days (between two and five days), the patient may feel some discomfort when chewing since the gum, and the end of the root could become a little inflamed. The dentist may recommend some anti-inflammatories and antibiotics to help relieve inflammation and prevent possible infections.

Can root canal treatment fail?

The failure rate for this treatment is very low. However, there is a possibility that the bacteria could not have been completely eliminated from the root canals. It could also happen that the tooth has not been correctly sealed, which would allow bacteria to enter the tooth through some filtration. In some of these cases, it would be indicated to repeat the procedure to guarantee the canals’ cleaning and the total sealing of the tooth.

What are the benefits of root canal treatment?

1. Root canal treatments save a damaged tooth, thus avoiding extraction.
2. The procedure is not painful as it is performed under anesthesia.
3. This treatment allows eliminating the infection and relieves pain caused by pulpitis effectively.

Without a doubt, the most significant benefit of root canal treatment is that it will allow you to maintain perfect dental health, avoiding problems that could occur due to pulpitis.

We know the suffering that damage to the dental pulp can cause, and that is why at FRESHDental, we want to help you! If you are looking for the best root canal treatment in Indian Trail, NC, then our dental practice is the right place for you. We are waiting for you.