A root canal is one of the most common dental procedures, performed over 14 million times a year. It’s a simple treatment that can save your natural tooth from decay and prevent the need for dental implants or bridges.
Though some people may have anxiety at the mention of a root canal Antioch TN, this procedure is no more painful than receiving a filling. The only difference is that it’s much longer.
What is a Root Canal?
A root canal is a treatment that can save an infected tooth. It involves removing the damaged area of the tooth and replacing it with a sterile material called guttapercha. This prevents bacteria from infecting the tooth and causing further pain. A filling or crown is then fixed to the tooth to protect it.
A tooth has soft tissue inside it, including blood vessels and nerves. This area is also known as the pulp. It carries nutrients to the tooth and senses hot or cold sensations. If the pulp becomes irritated or infected, it can lead to severe tooth pain, swelling of the mouth and face, and bone loss around the roots of the tooth.
If the infection is left untreated, a dental abscess can form. A root canal can save a problem tooth and is considered an excellent treatment with a high success rate. Most teeth fixed with a root canal can last a lifetime.
How is a Root Canal Done?
A root canal is an endodontic treatment that relieves tooth pain, eliminates infection, and saves your natural teeth. Many people fear root canal Antioch TN because they’ve heard they are painful, but in reality, modern techniques and anesthesia make this procedure no more uncomfortable than getting a filling or crown.
Inside each of your teeth is soft tissue called pulp that contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue. Pulp is essential for a healthy tooth because it helps grow the root of the tooth during development. When the pulp is damaged or infected by deep decay, cracks and chips, repeated dental procedures, or trauma to the tooth, it causes pain, swelling and often an abscess.
Without prompt endodontic treatment, the infected tooth pulp may die. This can lead to the loss of the tooth, but a root canal can save the tooth and prevent further infection in your gums and jaw bone. The procedure consists of anesthetizing the tooth, removing the injured and inflamed pulp, cleaning and disinfecting the root canals and shaping them for filling. Then a biocompatible material is placed in the tooth and filled and sealed.
How Long Does a Root Canal Take?
A root canal may sound intimidating, but it is not as painful as you might expect. In fact, it is usually not even as uncomfortable as having a cracked tooth or a severe tooth infection.
The procedure is very quick and painless if done by an experienced LA Vergne dentist and a trusted dental staff. It is a same-day procedure that takes place from the office treatment room, so there is no need to spend an overnight in the hospital.
The time it takes to complete root canal Antioch TN depends on the anatomy of the tooth being treated. Front teeth (incisors and canines) have one root, while premolars have two, and molars have up to four. It can take up to an hour to remove the diseased tissue, cleanse and disinfect the tiny canals inside the tooth, and then fill and seal it. A temporary filling or a crown is then placed to protect the tooth until it’s ready to be replaced.
What Happens After a Root Canal?
Each year more than 14 million root canals are performed. Although the procedure carries a bad reputation, it is one of the most common dental procedures and can save teeth from being lost due to decay, fracture, or cracked teeth.
After the tooth is cleaned and the irritated tissue has been removed, the space is filled with a biocompatible material to protect the inside. A temporary filling is then placed to plug the opening in the tooth.
Afterwards, the dentist will seal the tooth and place a crown or other restorative capsule over it. It is important that the tooth receives a proper restoration in order to prevent it from becoming infected again. Most patients experience a few days of mild discomfort following the root canal treatment but this can be effectively treated with over-the-counter pain relievers. Some of these medications may make you drowsy, so it is important that you wait at least eight hours before operating machinery or driving.