According to the professionals at Grins and Giggles Family Dentistry, root canal treatment is one of the most feared dental procedures. They work overtime to assure their patients that the treatment is not as complex or painful as most people think it is. People mostly associate the pain of the infection and cavity with the treatment. Those who are treated for root canal will tell you that the procedure isn’t complex or time-consuming and that the relief after the treatment is indescribable. What is Root Canal Infection?
Root canal treatment is cleaning, disinfecting and strengthening the tooth from within. At the center of the tooth is a cavity or tube, inside of which is the pulp of your teeth. The nerve of the tooth is situated inside this particular canal. Due to an infection, inflammation or structural damage, the nerve can get damaged. When that happens, there will be bacterial growth within the canal, specifically on the pulp. Along with food debris, this bacterial growth can lead to infection or the formation of pus. This starts to affect the root of the tooth, leading to severe pain and swelling in the facial area. The surrounding gum also tends to develop swelling, further causing pain while chewing or consuming food or drinks.
Root Canal Treatment
The objective of root canal treatment is to clean the canal, strengthen the root and save the tooth. When there is an infection that has started affecting the root of the tooth, root canal treatment is prescribed. Although it’s a specialized invasive surgery, it’s not as scary as it sounds. The treatment can be best described as getting rid of the pus, cleaning the infection and the roots, and filling the canal with another material. It speaks volumes about the advances in dentistry, that only till decades ago, the treatment for any infected tooth was to take it out. Root canal negates that and makes it possible to disinfect and give the tooth a new lease of life. An infection doesn’t mean tooth loss anymore, thanks to this treatment.
Do I Need A Root Canal?
If you have extreme pain, that some describe as ‘shooting pain’, while chewing, it’s time to visit us. Other symptoms include facial swelling, chipped tooth, swelling on the gum, and heightened sensitivity to both hot and cold food and drinks that stays even after the food or drink has been consumed. Those who have had a dental filling done before are more prone to developing problems in their root canal. During the examination, our dentists may get an x-ray to analyze in detail the extent of the problem. Contrary to popular belief, the treatment is not painful, as the patient will be under anesthesia, and the entire process will be over in two to three sessions.
When Should I Ask Root Canal Questions?
If you have any of the symptoms, you should fix an appointment at the earliest by calling us at (509) 928-4746. One of the easiest ways to nip it in the bud is to have the mandated dental check-up twice a year at Grins and Giggles Family Dentistry.
