A root canal may not be a pleasant word to hear for many especially when they’re sitting in the clinic and front of the dentist. But the fact is, there is nothing to fear about root canal treatment, our dentists are experienced and have mastered the art of Root Canal, which makes the root canal a painless procedure that relieves pain and discomfort which eventually can save your tooth.

Well, in this blog post, we’ll provide you with clear insights as to what a root canal treatment is and what the procedure involves, and when your tooth might require a root canal.

Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatment is done to save the tooth.
First, understand that the root canal is part of the tooth. Root canal treatment is done to eliminate the infection in the tooth and to stop it from spreading further
Every tooth gets a white enamel coat outside a hard layer of dentine. These two layers shield the pulp, soft tissue on the inner side of your teeth that contain blood vessels and nerve endings, which can become a source of pain when your tooth is infected. We then remove the affected pulp to relieve you of the pain.

When Should You Opt for Root Canal Treatment?

When the pulp inside a tooth gets inflamed or infected, a root canal treatment is paramount, as it can eliminate the painful substance and seal the tooth and stop the infection from spreading further. If ignored or neglected, pulp infections can spread to the jaw, throat and into the body. The pulp can get infected in different ways including:

Accumulated bacteria can cause infection.
Cracked or damaged teeth.
Sudden injury to the mouth area.
Unchecked decay.

How to Know if You Need Root Canal Treatment?

If you experience any one or more symptoms that are mentioned below, it is a clear indicator that you might require root canal treatment.

If you have cracked or chipped teeth.
When biting or chewing food, you may experience severe localised pain.
If you have sensitive, red or swollen gums.
If you have developed gum pimples or ulcers.
If your teeth are sensitive to hot and cold food and drinks.
If you experience darkening or decay of tooth and gum.

Root Canal Procedure

Root canal treatments are dentistry procedures that are performed by a qualified and experienced dentist while you sit comfortably in the dentist’s chair. And the whole treatment is not painful as you might have imagined in the first place!

Typically, a single-tooth root canal may take 3 to 4 appointments, which are spread across 3 to 4 weeks. Besides, each appointment may take around 30 minutes to 60 minutes or more depending upon the complexity of the tooth’s root. Although antibiotic paste is placed in the tooth, the appointments are intentionally spread out across the weeks to allow time for the body to heal on its own naturally.

Root Canal Procedure – Steps Involved!

After taking out the x-rays of your tooth and after examining it, if your dentist confirms that you need to undergo root canal treatment, then it will include the following steps:

Your dentist will apply a local anaesthetic to desensitise the affected area.
Next, your dentist will use a small drill to open the tooth and expose the infected pulp.
The unhealthy or damaged pulp is removed.
When the tooth area is cleared and dried, then your dentist applies an antibiotic paste and fill it with a temporary filling.
Likewise, the same treatment is administered for each appointment, and at the end of the procedure, the antibiotic paste is always placed in the tooth so that there are no chances of the tooth getting re-infected. It’s paramount to make sure that the tooth is completely free from bacteria before sealing it up permanently.
Also, your dentist will shape the canals within these sittings (usually 3 to 4 sittings for a single tooth root canal) so that the filling material can be appropriately fitted later on.
In the final appointment of root canal treatment, your dentist will seal up the canals and then place a permanent filling.
Once the root canal treatment is over, it becomes all the more important to protect your root-treated tooth with an appropriate dental crown.

Prevention is Always Better!

Compared to extracting a tooth, root canal treatment can not only alleviate pain but also provide a more desirable and lasting solution.
Besides, root canals are often completely avoidable – you should have a healthy diet that is low in sugary foods and rich drinks, which will substantially lower the danger of infection.

Get in touch with the Accredited Dental Practice in Kings Langley!

Kings Family Dental Centre, located in the heart of Kings Langley is always here to offer you the best possible dental care for root canal treatment, as well as, all other dental treatments that you may require. We know the hesitancy towards root canal treatment and make sure that you go through the entire procedure in a pain-free manner, giving you enough reasons to smile.

Also Read: Having Pain in Your Teeth? Sensitivity Might Be the Underlying Cause