Most people find root canal treatment frightening. This procedure has a bad reputation for being painful and unpleasant. But your dentist has the skills and instruments necessary to handle the process efficiently and with minimal pain. There is a possibility that a patient may have numerous teeth that require extensive treatment. The dentist can assess the state of all the teeth and proceed with the proper treatment to restore their health.
Overview of the root canal procedure
A root canal is a popular procedure for cleaning out infections and decay in a tooth’s pulp chamber. The pulp chamber is one of the most significant tooth components, located underneath the enamel and dentin. Nerves, blood arteries, and connective tissue are all housed here. When the pulp becomes infected, the tooth can be destroyed, and the illness can spread to the neighboring teeth and areas of the mouth. A root canal therapy can save the tooth by removing the pulp and eradicating the bacteria responsible for the issue.
Determining whether a root canal is necessary
A comprehensive examination, including X-rays, can help a dentist determine the problem. The dental professional may conduct an emergency procedure straight away if the decay and infection are severe enough. Patients with mild to moderate issues may be able to wait a few days, depending on their schedule.
Nonetheless, it is not advisable to postpone treatment for too long. People who observe the following symptoms should see a dentist as soon as possible: sensitivity to cold and hot foods and beverages, severe toothaches, swollen and painful gums, cracked and fractured teeth, and discolored teeth. Other teeth are susceptible once one tooth gets infected. So, it is better to have the dentist examine the entire mouth.
The procedure
After deciding that the root canal treatment is the best option for the patient, the dentist will numb the problematic area of the patient's mouth with a local anesthetic. Even if the nerves are dead, the numbing will help the person relax. The pulp will be removed after the dentist creates an access hole to the pulp chamber.
The dentist will seal the tooth after cleaning out the contaminated region and injecting drugs to kill the infection. The dentist will most likely install a crown over the tooth if it has considerable damage, like a fracture. This will help strengthen the tooth and restore normal dental functions.
One patient may suffer infections in multiple teeth, which will all require root canal treatment. In most cases, the dentists will only complete one root canal in a single dental appointment due to the time that it takes. Also, the patient might not find numbness in multiple areas of their mouth to be particularly pleasant.
A root canal is rarely a one-day procedure. After removing the decayed pulp, the dentist will need to check the tooth’s condition after a few days to see if the infection spread.
In conclusion
A root canal treatment is a common dental procedure in general. However, finding the right dentist should be your priority if you want a seamless procedure and proper dental care. Contact the dental office to book an appointment.
Request an appointment or call Alexandria Old Town Dental at 703-763-1078 for an appointment in our Alexandria office.
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