How Do Root Canals Work?
When people hear the words “root canal,” they might feel a bit of fear. That’s partly because popular media, like television shows or commercials, portray it negatively. It’s one of the most common procedures in this country, with 15 million of them being performed annually, according to East Carolina University. A lot of people also don’t know what actually happens during this dental procedure. Here is some more information on how root canals work.
Why Do You Need a Root Canal?
There are several reasons for a root canal. The main one is that the pulp that’s in the root canal has become infected or inflamed. This usually happens when your tooth decays to the point that the pulp is exposed and able to become infected. There could also be a crack in the tooth or there have been repeated dental procedures done on the tooth. Whatever the case, the dentist or endodontist (someone who spends extra time in dental school to become thoroughly familiar with the root and pulp of people’s teeth) will do this procedure.
The Procedure
Your dentist or endodontist will numb the area where they are doing the procedure. This will ensure that it is painless. Once they’ve done that, they will drill into your tooth until they reach where the infected pulp and root are and remove it. Once they clean the area, the tooth will have no nerve or blood supply, which means they will put a crown on it to protect it from fracture and from becoming reinfected.. This usually requires two visits, with the first crown being a temporary one, and then a permanent one will be bonded during the next visit.
What Happens Afterwards?
People might tell horror stories about their root canals. However, for most people, the actual procedure is mild, thanks to the anesthetic. The treatment area may be tender for a few days, which can be managed with over-the-counter painkillers like Tylenol. It might take a while to feel completely normal, but you should seek dental care if the pain worsens after a few days.
You can feel confident about your procedure. It is routine and you should recover quickly. Ultimately, having a pain-free tooth will be worth it. The main benefit of a root canal is saving the infected tooth from having to be pulled. Teeth that are treated with a root canal can even last the rest of the patient’s life. Do you need to have a root canal? Contact us today!