A lot of times, people hear about how unbearably painful and dreadful root canals can be. The truth is, though, root canals may have been an unpleasant experience some decades ago, and so were most dental treatments. Modern-day technology, advances and, most importantly, anesthetics make root canals one of the most routine dental procedures performed. Dentists all over the world conduct this procedure every day.
Root canal treatments aren’t normally completed in one visit to the dental clinic near you. It usually requires at least two visits to a dentist in Millwoods. This is why many people think removing teeth is a more viable option as it appears to be immediate. Nevertheless, you will have to get an implant, a crown or maybe even a bridge, which will result in a more expensive and time-consuming procedure. Therefore, root canals are an excellent example of conservative dentistry, most commonly known as restorative dentistry.
But, what is a root canal?
A root canal is a procedure during which the infected inner-most layer of a tooth, known as the pulp, is extracted and replaced with an inert substance. The pulp accommodates blood vessels and nerves of the tooth, making it imperative for it to be removed when infected.
How will the procedure be carried out at a dental clinic near you?
(1) Step number one of the procedure consists of removing the inner layer, or pulp, of the tooth. While this process occurs, the nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue get taken from the inside of the tooth. A tooth can survive without its pulpal layer because after it is developed, it will stay properly nurtured thanks to the tissues that surround it.
(2) After the pulp has been removed, the empty space left is filled with a biologically limp, resilient and not-electrically conductive material made of latex called gutta-percha. The production of the material uses the sap of the gutta-percha to deliver the final product.
(3) Finally, the tooth is sealed with a filling, or even a crown, to protect the root canal and prevent any bacteria from entering the tooth.
When the pulp layer of the tooth becomes infected or inflamed, it can quickly lead to pain or worse oral health conditions. Some very worrying conditions that are derived from it are related to severe infections of the gums and jawbone. Normally, the infections are caused by cracks, chips in a tooth, deeply degenerated teeth, flaky or faulty crowns, and fillings. Impact trauma, as in a broken tooth, can also be a reason why the pulp gets infected.
Leaving a damaged pulp untreated will more than likely result in an abscessed tooth, which is a pus-filled pocket that forms at the root of the tooth. Other possible effects of not getting a root canal in Millwoods when you need it are swelling of the neck, face or head, and bone loss which can also affect your appearance.
More than 90% of the time a root canal is performed by a specialist, it is successful, according to data collected by the American Association of Endodontists. Good dental care and oral hygiene are imperative for the treatment to last longer.
Why are root canals considered conservative?
Saving your natural teeth automatically makes root canals a conservative procedure. Whenever you feel pain, the wisest thing you could do is check if you need to undergo a root canal near you. When a tooth is infected, immediate action must be taken.
As mentioned above, some people might suggest just taking the damaged tooth out and taking no further action. However, in the long-term, a space where the tooth once was on the jawbone will encourage bone loss.
To stay healthy, the jawbone will need a tooth or a dental implant to fuse. Root canals help us keep our natural teeth in place and fortunately, they have great success rates and are routinely performed by specialists and endodontists.
Many root canal treated teeth will be with the patient for life. If not, they will give you many years of natural tooth preservation and reservation of the tooth structures that support it. This will help you avoid complications from an initial infection.