Endodontic therapy, commonly called root canal therapy, is a dental procedure that removes an infection from the inside of a tooth. It can also help prevent tooth infection in the future. However, the “root canal” is a component of teeth, and not a cure.
A tooth comprises of two parts: the crown and the roots. The tooth’s crown is mainly above the gum line, while the roots are below, and the roots of the tooth anchor it to the jaw bone.
The pulp is located between the crown and the root canal. The pulp nourishes the teeth and keeps the surrounding tissue moist. However, hot and cold temperatures cause nerve pain in the pulp.
Signs that You Need a Root Canal
Going to your dentist is the most reliable way to determine if you need root canal treatment. However, keep an eye on the following are the signs and symptoms:
- Toothache that will not go away
- Food sensitivity to heat and cold
- Tooth discoloration
- Swelling in the gums
- It hurts when you touch your teeth
- A tooth that has been cut or broken
- The teeth are loose
- Pimple on gums
- It hurts a lot to eat or bite
See a dentist right away if you notice any of the above symptoms. For the best and economical dental treatment, visit Dental Co. of Knoxville Dentist.
Steps of Root Canal
Root canal treatment is completed in three stages and can take one to three sessions.
- Cleaning the Root Canal
The dentist starts by removing everything from the inside of the root canal. Next, the dentist cuts a small hole in the tooth’s surface and removes the damaged and dead pulp tissue using tiny files while the patient is under local anesthesia.
- Filling the Root Canal
The dentist then uses microscope files and irrigation treatments to clean, shape and disinfect the hollow area. The teeth are then filled with a rubber-like substance, and the canals are completely sealed with adhesive cement. Teeth are dead after root canal therapy. Because the nerve tissue is destroyed and the infection is gone, the patient will no longer have pain in that tooth.
- Adding a Crown or Filling
Teeth, on the other hand, become weaker. This is because the tooth attaches to the bone feeds the tooth without the pulp. This supply is sufficient, but the teeth become increasingly fragile over time, requiring crowns or fillings. The patient should not chew or bite the tooth until the crown or filling is complete. After crowning or filling, the individual can resume regular dental use. Treatment usually requires only one session, but bent canals, multiple canals, or severe infections may require one or two more visits.
Cost of Root Canal
Dental treatment varies greatly, but protecting teeth from root canals is cheaper.
The alternative is an extraction, which is usually more expensive because it requires an implant or a bridge to replace the tooth later. In addition, extraction can cause discomfort, crooked teeth, and difficulty chewing.
To sum up, although therapy can cause some discomfort and anxiety, it will save you a lifetime of pain.
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