A root canal treatment is a specialized dental procedure that is often the last chance to save a diseased tooth. By this point, the tooth is usually dead, but the treatment can still result in it remaining a functional part of the dental arch.
Typically, a root canal treatment is needed when tooth decay has advanced to the point where it affects the nerves and tissues inside the tooth. A common symptom is pulp inflammation and severe pain, which often compels even those who fear dental treatments to seek care.
Delaying root canal treatment can lead to complications. As decay continues to spread, the tooth can become so damaged that extraction becomes necessary. The inflammation can also reach the periosteum, causing more severe symptoms. Abscesses filled with pathogens can form, allowing bacteria to enter the bloodstream and cause problems in other parts of the body. In extreme cases, the heart valves can be damaged, creating a life-threatening condition.
The first step in a root canal treatment is numbing the area around the tooth with an injection. The dentist often numbs the injection site with a lidocaine gel. For upper teeth, the anesthetic is injected beside the tooth; for lower teeth, it's injected into a nerve in the jaw.
Next, the dentist drills into the tooth to access the interior, from which the pulp and nerve are removed. The dentist then maps out the root canals, which need to be cleaned before filling. The process involves using a thin file to scrape the canal surfaces, followed by flushing the area. Only completely cleaned and disinfected canals can ensure the tooth does not get re-infected, preventing the need for repeated procedures.
Patients often arrive with an inflamed tooth, so a permanent filling cannot be placed immediately. Instead, a temporary filling is used. After a few days, when the inflammation subsides, the dentist removes the temporary filling and re-cleans the canals.
The root canals are then filled with a special material that occupies the available space. A final layer covers the canals and the interior of the tooth, serving as a fully functional chewing surface.
Modern dental practices make root canal treatments painless, with only minor discomfort from the initial anesthetic injection. The injection site might be sore for a few days.
Removing the tooth nerve and cleaning the root canals are painless, as the anesthetic is effective by this stage. Subsequent steps are performed on the dead tooth structure, which has no sensory nerves. If the inflammation has spread to surrounding tissues, their healing can take days, during which the gums might be more sensitive.
A common symptom post-treatment is swelling, which can be managed with painkillers if necessary. The swelling should gradually subside following a root canal treatment. If it doesn’t or symptoms worsen, it’s crucial to revisit the dental office for further evaluation by a specialist.
