Root Canal Therapy: Purpose, Procedure, and Aftercare
When you fail to treat broken or decayed teeth, the bacteria enter the root canal. It makes the bone supporting the tooth weak and causes the tooth to become loose. You may feel throbbing pain when chewing food. It also leads to nerve infection. If the infection is so severe that an abscess has developed inside your mouth, it’s worth getting the benefit of root canal therapy in San Rafael, CA.
The abscess can lead to swelling around the neck, eye, or face. Root canal dental procedure involves cleaning and treating infected tooth nerves. It helps you get rid of discomfort and ache associated with it. This post will explain to you all the essential details ab out this orthodontic treatment.
Purpose
The main aim of root canal therapy is to get rid of the bacterial infection inside the tooth and prevent it from reoccurring again in the future.
Root Canal Procedure
An endodontist or general dentist near you typically performs a root canal procedure. Simple root canals treatments need a single appointment that lasts between half an hour to one hour.
On the other hand, the complex root canals may take between nighty minutes or above than that. You may also need a second appointment if your endodontist suggests a dental cap or filling for your tooth.
1. Analyze the Mouth Using X-Rays
Firstly, the endodontist will perform X-Rays of the mouth to see the extent of the damage. The patient will also receive local anesthesia to manage pain. It helps in numbing the affected tooth and nearby area.
2. Removal of Root Canal Infection
After that, the dental expert uses a dental dam and place it nearby the tooth. This rubber-like sheet keeps the tooth saliva and clean. The endodontist then eliminates the decay and makes an opening via tooth crown to access the pulp chamber. Now, the professional removes the affected pulp using tiny dental tools.
The next step is to clean the infection from the pulp chamber and root canal and dry it completely. The endodontist may reshape and enlarge the canal to get access for filling. If the expert sees that the infection has spread beyond the affected tooth, he/she may also suggest antibiotics.
3. Filling of Canal
The endodontist fills the tooth interior with a rubber compound and a sealer paste. In case of temporary filling on the crown, the dental professional will remove it after some time.
Make sure you avoid chewing on the tooth till you get permanent tooth restoration. Then, the endodontist follows up canal filling with a dental filling to ensure that canals are protected from saliva.
4. Final Crown for Restoration of Tooth
In the final step, the expert protects the affected tooth from further damage and restores its normal functioning using a dental crown placement. It looks like a real natural tooth.
In cases where tooth structure is missing, the endodontist puts a metal post in the tooth and then adds a crown. The expert may also use other tooth restoration options. Remember, a properly treated and restored tooth can stay for as long as your real teeth.
Aftercare
After your root canal treatment is over, your endodontist will ask you to follow some instructions for pain management and faster tooth restoration.
Do’s and Don’ts
Check root canal do’s and don’ts:
Do’s:
- Before eating, wait for some time till the numbness goes away. Also, avoid biting or chewing on the treated tooth till an endodontist restore it completely.
- Report if you feel any discomfort with your new crown or filling.
- Take pain medicines as recommended. If the pain or swelling stays for several days after the treatment, Get in touch with your endodontist immediately.
- Follow-up appointments regularly. It will help you keep tabs on your tooth health and other risks.
Don’ts:
- Do not consume crunchy or hard foods because you are still in the recovery stage.
- Avoid changing your oral hygiene routine. Make sure you brush your teeth and floss on an everyday basis to avoid infection in the treated area. Also, stay gentle while brushing.
- Give your treated tooth sufficient time to heal before you go back to your normal lifestyle.
- Avoid eating or drinking immediately after the root canal procedure.
Explore Root Canal Therapy Near You
A root canal is a dental process of saving a highly damaged tooth. For more information about it, contact the endodontist at San Rafael Dentistry.