Why Is A Root Canal Therapy Needed?
One of the most obvious signs that something is wrong with your tooth is intense pain. Apart from that, here are a few reasons root canal therapy is needed:
- Swollen Gums: Swollen gums are an indication of serious dental issues. If your gums are painful and swollen, or if you have a raised bump on them, your dentist may recommend a root canal to solve this issue.
- Sensitivity Of The Truth: Tooth sensitivity is another common symptom of an infected root. This is a problem if your toothaches when you drink hot drinks like coffee or tea and the sensitivity lasts for weeks or months without relief, then it is safe to assume that the pulp or root of the tooth is infected. These are telltale signs that a root canal treatment is needed.
- Advanced Stage of Tooth Decay: Once the decay has penetrated the root of your tooth, no amount of brushing, flossing, or mouthwash rinsing will help. A root canal treatment is the only solution for severe cases of tooth decay.
- Broken or Chipped Tooth: When a tooth is cracked or chipped, the nerves beneath the surface of the tooth are exposed, which can lead to an infection. As a result, the pulp of the tooth can get easily infected. To prevent further damage and discomfort, an untreated infection warrants root canal therapy.
The Procedure of Root Canal Therapy
Your dentist or endodontist will follow these steps diligently while performing this treatment:
- Digital X-rays: Your dentist will take a dental x-ray to determine the shape of the root canals as well as any evidence of infection in the surrounding bone.
- Placement of Dental Dams: Your dentist will take the help of a dental dam to keep the area free of saliva. It will be placed around the damaged tooth.
- Creating Access To The Root: The next step is to drill a hole into the tooth. The infected tissues of the pulp, decaying nerve tissue and the bacteria are removed from inside the tooth.
- Dental Sealing: The tooth is sealed once it has been adequately cleaned. Some dentists prefer waiting a week before sealing the tooth.
- Restoration: The third phase may include further tooth restoration. Dental posts or crowns are used to reinforce teeth, prevent them from shattering, and reestablish their full function.
Things To Expect After Having a Root Canal
Immediately after undergoing root canal therapy, the patients can expect the following things:
- Eating or chewing hard foods.
- Eating or drinking anything too hot or cold.
- Take the prescribed medications.
- Brush and floss your teeth carefully.
Therefore, we hope that you have learned a lot about what to expect following a root canal treatment. If you require the best dental restorative services in Portland, OR, then please visit us at LIfe Bloom Dental. We look forward to treating you and your family.