Root canal therapy is a procedure that might save teeth that would otherwise need to be extracted because of deep decay or infection. Although this treatment may have a bad reputation, the truth is this procedure alleviates the pain and preserves the natural tooth for the patient's oral health and function. With modern dental technology and anesthetic choices, modern root canal treatments are as simple and comfortable as getting a filling.
Root canal therapy involves removing infected or inflamed pulp from within the tooth. The treatment starts with diagnostics (including X-rays) to figure out the extent of damage and create a plan. The dentist will use local anesthesia for the procedure.
An access hole is cut through the crown of the teeth to access the pulp chamber. The dentist will clean the space and shape it after taking out the infected pulp material. The cleansed canals are filled with a long-lasting, biocompatible material called gutta-percha to stop the re-entry of bacteria.
An opening in the tooth is sealed with a temporary filling to be replaced later with a permanent crown or filling. This process restores the strength, look, and function of the tooth.
Delaying root canal therapy can lead to serious pain, abscess formation, and even loss of teeth. Thus, it's crucial to seek prompt dental care when symptoms occur. Signs of root canal treatment include serious toothache, chronic sensitivity to hot or cold, yellow discoloration of the tooth, and swelling or pain of adjacent gums.
Despite the common misconceptions surrounding the treatment, this particular procedure has several benefits and is crucial for dental health. The benefits of root canal therapy consist of the following:
The primary benefit of root canal therapy is pain relief. Many people think the procedure is painful, but it lessens the discomfort of infected or inflamed pulp tissue in the tooth. Advanced techniques and anesthesia ensure that patients experience minimal pain during the procedure.
Root canal therapy preserves all-natural teeth for a gorgeous smile. Keeping the original tooth structure ensures correct chewing function and bite alignment. Natural tooth-root stimulation is also needed for maintaining healthy jawbone density.
As the infection is eliminated at the source, root canal treatment prevents bacteria from spreading to adjacent teeth and elsewhere in the mouth. This preventive strategy protects adjacent teeth from possible decay and lowers the risk of more serious systemic infections from untreated dental infections.
The initial cost of root canal therapy is high but is often less costly than alternatives over the very long haul. The extraction and replacement of a tooth with a dental implant or bridge is more costly and calls for longer treatment. Root canal therapy, though, involves just the process itself and usually just the placement of a crown, so it's a relatively affordable way to preserve a natural tooth.
Post-treatment care is straightforward and most patients go back to their usual activities the next day. Aftercare directions from the dentist might include not chewing on the treated tooth until the restoration process is complete, good oral hygiene, and follow-up visits to monitor healing.
Root canal therapy reduces pain, prevents infection from spreading, and restores function to the tooth. A treated tooth can last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance. If you believe you may be in need of a root canal, contact our office today to schedule an appointment.
Request an appointment here: https://southdenverendodontics.com or call South Denver Endodontics - Root Canal Specialists at (303) 968-1350 for an appointment in our Lone Tree office.
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