subject: Get Rid Of Tooth Pain With Root Canal Therapy [print this page] Many dental problems involve infections that spread to the pulp of a tooth. If this happens to you, you will experience pain in your tooth whenever you try to eat. If you neglect any dental treatment, the infection can spread and cause further infections and the possibility of an abscess. Luckily, a root canal procedure can be performed by your dentist to eliminate any infected pulp material and restore your tooth to health. Contrary to popular belief, modern root canal procedures are generally no more painful than having a filling put in. The idea that you should be afraid of a root canal is no longer valid thanks to advances in modern dentistry techniques.
What Is Involved With A Root Canal Procedure?
If you are experiencing severe tooth pain, sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures or discoloration of your tooth, it is possible that you will need to undergo a root canal procedure. The first step in the procedure is to have an X-ray taken of the inside of your tooth to look at the shape of your roots and check for signs of infection in the surrounding bone. Next, your dentist will anesthetize the area and then drill an access hole into your tooth. He or she will then use root canal files to remove bacteria, decayed nerve tissue and related debris while periodically rinsing the inside of your tooth with water or sodium hypochlorite.
After the tooth has been cleaned out, your dentist will need to seal the tooth. Depending on the extent of your infection, this may be done the same day as your root cleaning or about a week later. If your dentist wants to wait to seal the tooth, he or she will use a temporary filling to close the hole in between appointments. Once you are ready, your dentist will need to fill the cleaned out cavity on the inside of your tooth by using a sealer paste and a rubber compound. After this is completed, your dentist will generally have to place a crown over your tooth to finalize the procedure.
Risks Of A Root Canal Procedure
Even today, there is a negative stigma associated with a root canal procedure. Before dentistry reached the level it is at today, past root canal procedures were often painful experiences. Today, however, most people report little to no pain in their root canal procedure. Root canals today have a success rate of more than 95 percent and the procedure is completed, often a repaired tooth can last a lifetime. Complications, although rare, can occur if there is an undetected crack in the tooth or there is an unexpected breakdown in the inner sealing material over time. In these cases, the procedure may need to be repeated.
To learn more about root canal procedures or to schedule an appointment, contact your Boynton Beach dentist today.
