‘You need a root canal!’ To most patients this sounds akin to a judge sentencing a defendant to prison. They are immediately gripped with fear of what lays ahead. A lot of this fear is based on myths, confusion and a lack of awareness of the procedure. This fear sometimes drives them to refuse treatment and suffer toothache or loss of the tooth.
The truth is, a root canal treatment is a common dental procedure designed to save your natural tooth and relieve pain. Read on to find out about the what, why and how concerning a root canal treatment.
What is a Root Canal Treatment?
A root canal treatment involves cleaning the inside of an infected or damaged tooth. The tooth is thoroughly and precisely cleaned till the tip of the root to clear away the infection. It is then filled to seal it against future infection.
Why is a root canal treatment needed?
The tooth has a soft centre called pulp, which is filled with nerves and blood vessels. This is a very sensitive and delicate part of a tooth. When the pulp gets inflamed or infected, it causes severe pain and sometimes swelling. When this happens, it becomes necessary to clean this inside part of the tooth in order to treat the infection and relieve the pain.
How is a root canal treatment done?
The treatment is done under local anaesthesia. Therefore, the patient does not feel any pain during the procedure. Once the tooth is numb, the dentist starts by removing the decayed part of the tooth and later opens the pulp chamber and root canals. These are then thoroughly cleaned with fine instruments. The dentist will also use antiseptic solutions in the canal to ensure complete disinfection. The clean canals are then filled with gutta percha, a material that is safe to be used inside the tooth. This material seals the canals to prevent bacteria from re-entering. The tooth material lost to decay is then restored with a with a filling material.
What to expect with a root canal?
For a patient, the experience feels no different than getting a filling done under anaesthesia. The procedure usually lasts around one hour. Sometimes, multiple sittings may be required; however, most root canals are completed in one or two sittings. There may sometimes be mild tenderness for a couple of days post procedure. This is easily managed with a painkiller. The patient can carry on with regular work immediately post procedure.
What happens if advised root canal is not done?
If you have been advised by your dentist that a root canal is needed, it is most likely because of an infection in that tooth. If, for whatever reason you choose to postpone or avoid the procedure, the infection in the tooth will continue to damage the tooth, surrounding bone and sometimes adjacent teeth too. Eventually, the tooth will need to be extracted. In some cases, the prolonged infection will result in a cyst that needs to be surgically removed. In rare cases, the infection may rapidly spread resulting in a life threatening situation.
Cost of root canal treatment
Preserving a tooth with root canal treatment is less expensive than the alternative of having the tooth extracted and replaced. An extracted tooth must be replaced with an implant or bridge to restore chewing function and prevent adjacent teeth from shifting. These procedures tend to cost more than root canal treatment and appropriate restoration. The actual charges of a root canal may vary depending on the dentist’s experience, complexity of the case and location.
Summary
A root canal is a routine dental procedure, that feels no different than getting a filling done. Most root canals are completed in one or two sittings with each sitting lasting one hour or less. With advances in dentistry, it is possible to do quick, painless and predictable treatment that lasts for years. If you’ve been told you need a root canal, remember that this is a common procedure designed to relieve your pain and preserve your natural tooth. Feel free to reach out to us for any queries regarding root canal treatment.
