If you have painful, tender teeth that are sensitive to hot or cold, it might not be time for extraction yet. Root canal treatment can help you by removing the affected tissue. If left untreated, the infected tooth can cause apical abscess and eventually loss of jawbone and therefore should be treated as soon as possible.
Why you might need a root canal
When your tooth’s pulp becomes affected, it can cause pain and swelling in and around the tooth. The dental team at Madison Family Dental Group offers root canal treatment in Fair Oak and encourages patients to seek immediate dental care when they experience the following:
· Severe pain and increased swelling in your gum.
· A bad smell
· Prolonged sensitivity to cold or heat
· Tenderness in the nearby gums and soft tissue
· Tenderness when chewing or brushing
If you seek dental care, your provider recommends root canal treatment if you have the following conditions:
Exposed pulp or root due to trauma
Cavities. Poor oral health can result in plaque if bacteria are not well cleaned from your teeth. As a result, this plaque eats your teeth away, causing small holes. Over time, cavities can decay your teeth and may reach the roots.
An abscess is a condition where infection collects around your tooth’s root. As a result, you might require a root canal to remove the infection and prevent it from spreading further to the nearby healthy tooth.
What you Can Expect Before a Root Canal
Your provider can perform diagnostic testing, including an x-ray to check your tooth’s health and the bone around it to view the shape of the tooth root to be cleaned. Your provider can recommend some medications to relieve some of the symptoms as a result of the infection. You can receive antibiotic medications to prevent bacterial infection and NSAIDs, which are special medications for decreasing pain and swelling.
The Root Canal Procedure
A root canal is a four-step procedure requiring two to three appointments to deliver optimal results. During your first appointment, your provider administers a local anesthetic and isolates the tooth with a protective sheet. The crown is then opened to expose the pulp chamber for cleaning.
Cleaning is done using small files where the infected chamber is cleaned, and the canal shaped for filling. Gutta-percha, a biocompatible rubber-like material, is used to fill the canal, and adhesives are used to seal the canal.
After several weeks of healing, you go back for another appointment where a permanent crown can be attached or whatever tooth restoration you might desire to be attached to your teeth.
At Madison Family Dental Group, state-of-the-art technology and anesthesia are used to assure you comfort during the procedure. You may not experience pain during the procedure, but after a few days, you can feel that the tooth is more sensitive than others.
Precautions After Root Canal Treatment
Your provider can give you special instructions to help you recover optimally and also protect your teeth. For instance, before your final appointment, you have to avoid chewing or biting using the threatened teeth until fully restored.
Additionally, good oral hygiene is a must, including daily brushing, flossing, and cleaning. Preventive visits can also be scheduled to ensure that your teeth regain their strength and last long as your natural teeth.
Learn more about root canal treatment from the expert by reaching out to the specialists at Madison Family Dental Group.
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