There is a misguided perception of dental procedures, especially when it comes to root canal treatment. You may think this procedure is painful or scary which makes you anxious. However, this is not true. If you are scheduled for a root canal procedure, an experienced dentist will help ease your anxiety and keep you comfortable.
Thanks to Temecula root canal procedures that use modern treatment techniques to keep you relaxed and content.
What is a root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment is a common dental procedure that helps alleviate painful symptoms caused by an infected, inflamed, or abscessed tooth pulp. The pulp is the innermost part of your tooth, containing blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissues. It helps in tooth development by providing nutrition.
During this procedure, your dentist removes the inflamed pulp, and the root canals are cleaned. The canals are disinfected and packed with a biocompatible filling material that seals the space.
What are the symptoms that indicate you may need a root canal treatment?
You may experience certain symptoms that increase your necessity for a root canal treatment. These include:
- Chronic tooth pain that may radiate to your jaw, face, and other teeth
- Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures that may linger for more than a few seconds
- An infected tooth can lead to pus accumulation inflaming your gums and making them tender and red
- A chipped or cracked tooth can pave the way for plaque accumulation and bacterial invasion into the tooth pulp
- Tooth discoloration due to prolonged pulpal infection
- Extreme tooth pain while eating or chewing food particles
- A loose tooth due to chronic infection
What does a root canal procedure involve?
During your first visit your dentist will evaluate the affected tooth through dental X-rays to assess the extent of the infection and study the root morphology.
Procedure
- Your dentist will administer local anesthesia (a numbing agent) to ease your pain.
- A rubber dam will be used to isolate the affected tooth for moisture control.
- A small opening will be made in the crown of the tooth to access the pulp (access opening).
- Tiny dental instruments are used to extract the inflamed pulp from the root canal
- The pulp chamber and root canals are cleaned, disinfected, and shaped.
- The empty canals are filled with a flexible dental material called gutta-percha
- A temporary filling will be placed to seal the tooth
- Once your tooth heals, your dentist will provide a custom-made permanent crown.
Root canal treatment is an excellent alternative to extraction that helps preserve your tooth structure restoring your oral form, function, and aesthetics.
