1. Toothache Caused by Infection or Decay
Most of us at one time or another suffered the discomfort of a toothache. Who can forget the throbbing pain when eating or when a hot or cold liquid makes contact with your tooth's nerve? The worse type of dental pain results from infection or decay. The soft tissue inside the tooth's center is the pulp or pulp chamber. The tooth's nerve sits inside root canals, or channels, that start at the tooth's root and continue to its upper surface. These channels house blood vessels, nerves and the connective tissue that sustain your teeth.
2. Pain in The Pulp
Decayed or cracked teeth allow bacteria into the pulp. Once there, the bacteria's acid irritates the pulp and causes inflammation. Inflamed pulp tissue makes it difficult for blood to get to the tissues. The resulting pressure produces the pain and discomfort in your tooth. Typical nerve damage symptoms include sensitivity to temperature; toothache associated with eating, facial puffiness, darkened or discolored teeth and inflamed sensitive gums. That same bacteria often leads to infection, which in turn leads to an abscess. An abscess is a pus-filled hole that develops at the base of your tooth's root any time an infection extends beyond the root's end. An infected root canal also causes inflammation, bone loss and drainage problems.
3. The Root of the Problem
Dentists and endodontists perform root canal therapy to repair or "save" your tooth. If an X-ray detects an infection, antibiotic therapy is usually first recommended before performing the procedure. Once anesthetized, the dentist makes an opening in your tooth. With a piece of rubber surrounding your tooth, he removes the pulp, any bacteria and decayed nerve tissue with root canal files. These files whose diameter increases incrementally enter the opening, extend to the bottom of the tooth, scraping and scrubbing the sides of the channels as they go. Water or diluted bleach rinses away any material.
4. Seal It Up
After the canals are clean, your dentist seals your tooth. If your root canal therapy requires more than one visit, he applies a temporary seal so your tooth remains bacteria-free until your next treatment. At your final appointment, your dentist fills the canals with gutta percha, a sealer paste and rubber compound and fills the opening. In cases of large fillings or considerable deterioration, your dentist may recommend a crown or a crown and post to safeguard your tooth.
5. Post-Therapy Care
Treat any post-operative pain or sensitivity with over-the-counter pain medications, such as ibuprofen, Advil or Motrin. Apply ice to the area every 15 to 20 minutes to reduce swelling. Call your dentist if pain persists longer than 24 hours.
