Damaged teeth can be a cause of severe pain and agony. They also affect the function and aesthetics of your mouth, resulting in a significant decrease in quality of life. Most of the infected and abscessed teeth require a root canal treatment to live a pain free life.
What is a Root Canal Treatment?
Root canal treatment is a dental procedure that relieves pain caused by an infected or abscessed tooth. The tooth’s innermost layer is known as the pulp and it is this part of the tooth that gets affected by the infection. During the root canal treatment, your dentist will remove the swollen pulp, clean the inner surface of the tooth, and disinfect the entire tooth. The treatment is finished by filling up the hollow structure and sealing the entire space.
When is a Root Canal Needed?
Root canal treatment is required when bacteria from the mouth’s flora have reached the pulp, resulting in an infection and inflammation. The most common reason for the invasion of the pulp is untreated cavities, for a long period of time. Some of the other causes for bacterial invasion of the pulp are trauma and chipped teeth.
Signs and Symptoms that a Root Canal is Needed
- Persistent Toothache: Many dental problems can cause toothache. If the pain is deep inside the tooth, root canal treatment may be needed. Discomfort can extend to the jaw, face, or other teeth.
- Sensitivity to heat and cold: If your tooth hurts when you drink hot coffee or eat ice cream, you may need root canal treatment. This is especially true if the pain lasts longer than a few seconds.
- Swollen Gums: When a tooth becomes infected, pus may form around it. This can cause your gums to become swollen, swollen, and sensitive.
- Gums Pimples: Pimples and boils on the gums. Pus from the infected tooth drains from the pimple, which can give it an unpleasant taste and smell.
- Swollen Jaw: Pus may not drain from the area. As a result, the jaw may visibly swell.
- Tooth discolouration: Infection of the pulp can cause darkening of the teeth. This happens due to insufficient blood supply to the teeth.
- Pressure Pain: If you have pain when eating or touching your tooth, the nerves around the pulp may be damaged.
- Chipped or Chipped Tooth: If a tooth is broken in an accident, bacteria can penetrate the pulp while playing sports or even chewing something hard.
- Loose Teeth: Infected teeth may feel looser. This is because pus from infected pulp can soften the bone that supports the tooth.
How to Prepare for a Root Canal?
- The first and foremost thing is to find a good dental clinic in Dubai. Read online reviews and testimonials to better understand the services provided and the successes of the clinic.
- Start taking the medication prescribed by your dentist. This will help control the swelling and infection around the tooth
- Quit smoking or chewing tobacco as they will make the surgery and healing, very difficult.
The Root Canal Procedure
The root canal procedure begins with local anaesthesia. Your dental surgeon will use this to numb the area and make the procedure painless for you. Sedation, both oral and intravenous, is an option for those who are anxious about the procedure and would rather be asleep. Once the anaesthesia has kicked in, the root canal treatment will begin.
A small, rubbery dental dam will be placed over the area to isolate the infected tooth Then, a hole will be drilled into the tooth to access the pulp of the tooth, which is the actual infected part of the tooth.
Once access to the pulp has been achieved, the nerves, blood vessels, and tissues inside the tooth will be removed completely using different instruments. The hollow area, known as the pulp chamber, will then be cleaned, disinfected, and shaped to fit the dental filling.
After cleaning, the chamber will be filled with a rubber known as gutta-percha. The tooth will then be sealed with a temporary filling to ensure no contamination from bacteria in the future. At this point, the majority of the surgery has been completed.
The last step includes the placing of the crown. This crown will protect the dental filling from bacteria and trauma, and will also help you regain your bite. This step is not performed with the main root canal treatment procedure as the crown has to be custom-made for each patient. Once the crown is ready, the dental surgeon will remove the temporary filling and place the final crown.
Recovery from Root Canal Treatment
Recovery from root canal treatment is marked by mild sensitivity, especially during the first 3 days. You can manage this using over-the-counter medication. There is no severe pain associated with root canal recovery but if you are experiencing sudden pain in the tooth or gums, then you should seek immediate dental help.
Risks and Complications of Root Canal Treatment
Root canal treatment can fail, in rare cases, when the tooth is too damaged, to begin with. Some of the signs and symptoms of a failed root canal are:
- Severe, persistent pain
- Swollen gums
- Pus or drainage from the gums
- Tooth discolouration
- Pimple or boil on the gums
- Sinus problems
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