When people talk about dentists and root canals, they often get anxious. How can something painful be necessary? Is the treatment really painful? Do you really need to go through such a procedure?
Educate yourself about these concerns and learn what a Newmarket dentist does during a root canal treatment.
Newmarket dentist
A dentist is a professional qualified to carry out procedures relating to teeth. They carry out examinations, clean, repair, and perform operations such as fillings, caps, crowns, and extractions.
One of the treatments a Newmarket dentist executes is the root canal. A root canal is a procedure where the dentist removes decay and kills bacteria that has formed in a tooth.
The root canal procedure can be carried out on one or more teeth. It is highly recommended for people with a severe toothache or sensitive teeth.
Why do you need a root canal?
The tooth pulp is the part of the tooth that surrounds the roots. It contains nerves and blood vessels. It does not need to be removed from the tooth. However, there may be instances when the Newmarket dentist needs to eliminate them.
One reason is that it may cause the tooth to become sensitive to temperatures and pressure. In worse cases, pus starts to form around the pulp, causing swelling and pain in the tooth’s root. This shows signs and symptoms of an infection inside the tooth, letting patients feel intense dental pain.
When this happens, the Newmarket dentist needs to disinfect the tooth chamber and take away the patient’s pain. This is why root canal therapy becomes necessary.
What does a root canal procedure involve?
The procedure involves removing infected tissue from the pulp and root canal and removing any infected pulp. The pulp and canal are cleaned and then filled with resin, usually a thick paste. Its is to keep the filling from falling out and help keep the tooth from splitting.
The procedure usually requires three or four appointments.
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The first appointment involves checking your teeth to see what work needs. Your dentist will clean the area of your mouth where the tooth will be worked on and may take X-rays. Your Newmarket dentist may also try to examine the tooth to see the extent of the infection.
- The dentist may use a diode laser to re-shape your tooth. The laser is guided by the digital X-ray, which gives the dentist a look at the tooth’s inner structure.
- The dentist will then drill into the pulp chamber and root canal and then remove the infected pulp. The pulp chamber will be cleaned and then filled with a paste. The root canal will be cleaned and filled with a paste and then filled after the Newmarket dentist has “sealed” the canal using a resin.
The procedure is generally painless and is a good option for people with severe pain. The process can be quicker than with other methods of treatment. However, it is not the best option for people who have damaged their teeth.
The recovery process is usually quick, and you do not need to take time off work. However, it may be up to you to ask for a leave. However, you may experience some short-term pain.
What to expect
The discomfort of a root canal procedure varies from person to person. The treatment is generally completed with some type of local anesthesia. The Newmarket dentist may sometimes use a local anesthetic spray on the area before performing the treatment.
The dentist may take some time to explain the procedure to you beforehand. They will usually take X-rays of the area to see the extent of the infection, inflammation or damage.
The treatment is usually carried out with one to three visits. During the first visit, the dentist drills tiny holes in the tooth. The dentist may insert a fibre optic camera into the tooth to see the inside of the tooth.
The dentist removes the infected pulp. The pulp is cleaned and filled with resin. The resin hardens, and the dentist seals the tooth. The Newmarket dentist may occasionally apply polish to the tooth.
Root canal treatment is usually accompanied by some pain relief medication.
Aftercare
After root canal treatment, you may be advised not to eat hard food. Your dentist may recommend that you avoid eating certain foods or eat soft foods. Soft foods are less likely to cause discomfort or disrupt the healing process.
You may experience some swelling and discomfort after root canal treatment. This is usually relieved by ibuprofen.
The tooth should have a filling which will fall off on its own. The filling is usually removed after six months.
Root canal treatment is not cheap. The treatment can be more expensive than other dental procedures if there has been a severe infection, damage, or complication.
Some pain and discomfort accompany the root canal procedure. The Newmarket dentist may sometimes recommend an over-the-counter painkiller.
After the procedure, your tooth may feel a little sensitive. You should brush your teeth gently to avoid dislodging the filling. The dentist in Newmarket will give you advice on caring for your tooth.
If you need a root canal procedure, then book through oasisparkdental.ca. We will be happy to help you.
