Introduction
In dental cavities, initial tooth damage starts from the spot on the tooth that progresses in size and affects the crown part of the tooth, at this point the cavity is superficial and can treat with a restorative filling. As the condition progress, it involves the root part and penetrates the deep tissue of the tooth, root canal treatment is required to cure it.
What is a root canal?
The root canal is the treatment that performs to resolve pulp and root canal infection. The tooth consists of two-part, the inner soft tissue called dental pulp, is present in the root part of the teeth. The outer hard part is called the crown. Bacterial infection from the cavity affects the crown part of the teeth and penetrates deep into the pulp of the tooth. In root canal treatment, removing the infection from the deep part of the tooth (pulp), and filled the canal with filling material, and then restoring the crown part of the tooth. It is a simple and multi-setting procedure.
How painful are root canals?
A root canal is a painless procedure, performed under anesthesia Like other dental procedures extraction, and restoration. Anesthesia can control pain, anxiety, and fear for 2 to 4 hours so the dentist can perform the procedure without hurting the patient. After the anesthesia effect is removed, the patient feels mild pain and discomfort that remain for a few days. The dentist prescribed painkillers and antibiotics for rapid healing without further pain and infection.
When is a root canal needed?
The root canal is needed when the decayed tooth infection from the cavity infects the pulp of the tooth, this condition is known as pulpitis. These infections produce pressure on the deep nerves of the tooth that cause extreme pain.
- Persistent long-lasting pain that radiates through the jaw, neck, and head. Pain intensity increase in laid-down position and chewing food.
- Tooth sensitivity to cold and hot stimuli.
- Gum tenderness and in severe conditions pulp infection cause gum swelling around the root of a tooth, that is filled with pus known as an abscess. It involves the whole jaw and neck area.
- Tooth discoloration due the deep infection.
Can a root canal heal itself?
No, root canal infection can’t heal itself. Root canals are narrow canals filled with pulp that present in the root part of the tooth. Infection in this narrow cavity cannot heal without removing the affected pulp. After completely removing the pulp and properly cleaning the canal, medication is placed for canal healing and obturates the canal with the material that has the same property as the pulp.
Can a tooth decay after a root canal?
After a root canal, the inner part of the tooth becomes strong but its outer or the crown part becomes weak. The tooth crown is already grossly damaged due to a dental cavity, and mechanical force during chewing can cause further damage to the crown of the tooth so Dental crowing or artificial teeth capping protects the crown of the tooth so it can bear mechanical pressure during chewing. Crown capping on the root canal-treated tooth is recommended by the Dentist to avoid further tooth decay.
What is the main cause of a root canal?
Root canal treatment saves decayed and damaged teeth from extraction. It helps in maintaining the natural healthy tooth to stay for a long time in the mouth. A root canal treats a deep tissue infection that could be initiated by different reasons such as
- A deep dental cavity causes gross tooth decay.
- Tooth injury that affects the crown and deep part of the tooth.
- Defect in the previous restorative filling.
- A periodontal (gums) problem that causes a deep dental infection produces gum swelling and infection around the root of the tooth.
Root canal treatment is a simple treatment that treats deep tooth infections. The success rate of root canals is high and long-lasting depending upon the dentist’s expertise and the condition of the tooth. Root canal treatment can be prevented by Proper oral hygiene, and regular dental visits so the dentist can diagnose the initial tooth decay that can be saved by restorative filling.