Root Canal Procedure

A root canal can be described as the natural space in tooth usually referred to as pulp chamber. Root Canal surgery have its benefits and complications and preparation before the procedure and care after the procedure is needed. Root Canal surgical procedure occurs at the center of a tooth and runs down the root’s length up to the apex (canal). The number of root canals in a human tooth varies depending on that tooth’s anatomy. It could have root canals ranging from one to four. For example, incisors have one canal, molars have a range of two to four root canals, while premolars and cuspids have 1 or 2 canals.

Root canal procedure on the other hand is that treatment that a tooth receives to repair and save it after an infection or bad/severe decay. It involves the removal of the tooth’s pulp and nerve and thereafter, its inside is cleaned and the tooth sealed. This prevents infection from spreading to the tissues around the infected tooth. It can be done by a dentist or a specialist called Endodontist. Severe pain can occur during or after root Canal surgery and root Canal surgery varies in price depending upon the complication of the procedure and the number of teeth that the procedure of root canal need to be done. The cost of root canal procedure also depends upon the country in which the procedure is being done.

What to Expect During Root Canal Procedure

Before the actual root canal procedure one must prepare mentally and must know the complications that can occur. First, an X-ray is taken to know the root canal’s shape and confirm any infections to tooth’s surrounding. Secondly, your tooth will be numbed and then using rubber dam, the tooth area is kept dry (saliva free). The rubber dam fits on the infected tooth isolating it from the rest. The endodontist then drills an opening or hole in the tooth. Endodontist will remove the bacteria and decay. Thereafter, he/she will clean out the canal using root canal files. These root canal files enable the Endodontist to remove the tooth’s nerve since its diameter can enlarge and fit into the canal.
If the dentist prefers to give the patient one or two weeks before completing the procedure, then he/she will after thorough cleaning of the infected tooth, put a soothing medicine inside it and temporarily seal it. The waiting is to ascertain that there isn’t any further infection or discomfort. The final stage of root Canal surgery involves filling the canal using gutta percha; a rubber filling material. Once the canal is filled, then the exterior (the hole used to access the canal) is filled using a regular filling material.

Benefits of Root Canal Procedure

This procedure completely eliminates any infection in the tooth’s pulp and gives the patient a relief from pain they were feeling before the procedure.
After the procedure and fixing of a crown, the tooth’s natural functions are restored and one won’t need it extracted in future.
It prevents the spread of the destructive bacteria to the other teeth.

Complications of Root Canal Procedure

Under normal circumstances, one may feel some discomfort on the tooth afew days after the root canal procedure. This could be because the dentist’s tools could have affected the tooth’s surrounding tissues. Also, the gums around the infected tooth could seem tender because the rubber dam could have pitched tissues around the treated tooth. In exceptional cases, a dentist may miss an extra canal or hidden root that requires treatment or the shape of the tooth’s root may affected the chance of getting a perfect seal or root could fracture and finally a shaping file could break and stick in the root canal.

Why Do a Person Need Root Canal Surgery

Despite having symptoms like gum swelling, cracked teeth, inflamed nerves, failed treatment among others; one needs a dentist to ascertain if the tooth needs a root canal treatment. The two main signs below may indicate that your tooth needs a root canal. First is the tooth being painful. The intensity could be mild or extreme and varies when one stands or bends. The pain could be from a stimulus such as biting, taking hot drinks or foods. The pain could take hours or linger then fades.
Secondly, gum swelling around the infected tooth could indicate the need for root canal. It could be a slight swelling or that which extends to the neck or face.