Root canal therapy is a pain relieving procedure that can prevent a tooth from decaying and restore its function long term. The treatment involves removing infection and decontaminating the tooth before filling it in. This treatment is also known as endodontic therapy. While the procedure is often viewed as a painful when, it is actually not as painful as it sounds.
What is a root canal?
Root canals are tiny passageways that branch off from beneath the top of the tooth, coursing their way vertically downward, until they reach the tip of the root. All teeth have between one and four root canals. Many tooth problems involve infections that spread to the pulp, which is the inner chamber of the tooth containing blood vessels, nerves and other tissues. When the infection becomes worse, it can begin affecting the roots. A traumatic injury to a tooth can also compromise the pulp, leading to similar problems. A diseased inner tooth brings a host of problems including pain and sensitivity as the first indications of a problem. However, inside a spreading infection can cause small pockets of pus to develop, which can lead to an abscess.
Once the nerve of the tooth is infected, the only treatment that is available to retain the function of the natural tooth is root canal therapy.
Root Canal Therapy
Root canal therapy is a remarkable treatment with a very high rate of success, and involves removing the diseased tissue, halting the spread of infection and restoring the healthy portion of the tooth. In fact, root canal therapy is designed to save a problem tooth; before the procedure was developed and gained acceptance, the only alternative for treating a diseased tooth was extraction.
Procedure:
Root canal therapy usually entails one to three visits. During the first visit, a small hole is drilled through the top of the tooth and into the inner chamber. Diseased tissue is removed, the inner chamber cleansed and disinfected, and the tiny canals reshaped. The cleansed chamber and canals are filled with an elastic material and medication designed to prevent infection. If necessary, the drilled hole is temporarily filled until a permanent seal is made with a crown.
Most patients who have root canal experience little or no discomfort or pain, and enjoy a restored tooth that can last almost as long as its healthy original. The tooth’s nerve is not vital to the functioning of the tooth and only provides the feeling of hot and cold. Crowns are usually used to help strengthen the tooth and prevent fractures.
The modern procedure has greatly improved thanks to all the innovations, resulting in quicker procedures that offer far greater success rates. In one large scale study involving over 1.6 million patients, 97% were able to retain their teeth 8 years after the procedure.
After a successful root canal treatment, it will take some time for the tooth to become fully restored. You should avoid hard candies or chewy foods. It is normal to have mild pain for a few days, but this should only be temporary and will go away on its own with good oral hygiene.