1. Why Suffer a Root Canal?
Occasionally, teeth suffer from excessive decay or cracking, which eventually damages the pulp of the tooth. Damaged pulp is incapable of repairing itself. If left without treatment, an infection starts and a tooth abscess starts. Signs and symptoms of this condition include severe pain when chewing, temperature sensitivity, darkening of the affected tooth and swelling or irritation of the gums. If left untreated the condition may worsen, leading to swelling and infection in the face, loss of the tooth as well as bone loss. To correct this problem, the dentist performs a root canal.
2. Getting to the Root of the Root Canal
Before starting a root canal, your dentist or endodontist X-rays the teeth to get a better picture of what's going on beneath the tooth and to determine if the area is infected. Then the dentist numbs the area, so you won't feel any pain as he works. The actual root canal begins as the dentist drills a hole in the tooth so he can access and remove the damaged pulp. The dentist then cleans and molds the area to create a hold for filling. Many dentists put a temporary filling into the tooth and then request that you return in a week for the permanent filling. Occasionally, the tooth will require further treatment, such as a crown.
3. A Pain in the Root
While a root canal isn't comfortable, it's typically doesn't live up to it's reputation for being utterly painful. In fact, most patients report that the pain isn't much more severe than what they experience when getting a filling. Perhaps the most frustrating part of the root canal is the time it takes to complete the procedure. Many root canals require at least two visits.
4. What to Expect After the Root Canal
After your root canal, you may notice that your tooth feels sensitive. This sensitivity results from inflammation. Some people experience excessive sensitivity if the tooth was infected prior to the root canal. To minimize pain and sensitivity, the dentist frequently recommends pain medications, such as ibuprofen or naproxen. Since the root canal procedure often takes at least two visits, its advisable to minimize any chewing activity in the area of the root canal.
5. Root Canal Complications
Occasionally, people suffer from post root canal infections. This is especially likely if there are additional canals in the tooth that the dentist doesn't identify during the root canal. This may leave one canal uncleaned, causing continued infection. Another likely cause of post root canal infection is an unidentified cracked tooth. Finally, post-root canal infection may occur if bacteria escape the region, and become trapped inside the gum or surrounding tissue. Typically, this type of infection clears up within days of starting antibiotics.
