Root canals are often a necessary part of protecting your smile. In some situations, a root canal is the only alternative to complete extracting a tooth in order to prevent the spread of damage. Understanding the root canal process will often help you to minimize any anxiety you may have. Root canals can be extremely beneficial to protecting the health of your smile. Here is what happens during root canals.
Endodontic Services
The term “endodontic” comes from Greek bases. In Greek, “endo” means inside, while “odont” means tooth. Endodontic services, therefore, are services that target the inside of the tooth. Root canal therapy is a particular type of endodontic service that is used to remove damaged pulp from the inside of a tooth.
What Happens During Root Canals
The root canal process can often be broken down into 6 steps. The first step involves ensuring that the area is thoroughly numbed to prevent discomfort during the rest of the process. During the second step, your dentist drills a tiny hole in the tooth to obtain access to the interior of the tooth. Once they have done this, the third step is to remove the infected pulp and material from the interior of the tooth. The fourth step involves thoroughly disinfecting and cleaning the area to remove any debris or bacteria. After this, your dentist’s fifth step will be to fill and seal the hole in order to prevent it from becoming vulnerable to further damage. The sixth step is restoration, where your dentist will decide to use either a filling or crown to protect the tooth.
There isn’t much downtime after having a root canal. You can expect to be numb for a few hours after your root canal, but most people are able to return immediately to their regular activities and operations. You may need to wait to eat or drink until the numbness has worn off.
Is it Time for a Root Canal?
Understanding the signs that it is time for a root canal will help to ensure that you are able to obtain the ideal services to meet your oral health needs. Many of these signs indicate various oral health problems that need to be resolved by visiting a professional. If you notice pimples have appeared on the gums, the gums have become tender or swollen, or visible decay, you should schedule a visit with your dentist. Additional signs that it is time for a root canal include experiencing significant pain whenever placing pressure on the teeth, extreme discomfort or sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, and teeth that have become chipped or cracked.
The Purpose of a Root Canal
A root canal is a great solution for saving a damaged tooth without requiring it to be extracted. When you have an infected tooth, it may be important to get a root canal to remove all infected material from the tooth. This helps to stop the spread of damage without requiring you to sacrifice the tooth.
The Major Benefits of Root Canals
There are many benefits to having root canals as opposed to extracting your teeth. Root canals enable you to maintain the most natural appearance possible for your smile. It also helps to ensure that you can continue to chew normally, while experiencing the same kind of sensation.
Root canals can provide an array of benefits to your oral health. When you have a root canal, it is often ideal to have the procedure performed by an experienced endodontist. At David G. Johnson, DDS, you can be confident that we are up to the task of performing ideal root canals to protect the health of your smile. To learn more about what will happen with your root canal, as well as how to identify if you need a root canal, contact us at David G. Johnson, DDS today!