Endodontic therapy, commonly known as root canal therapy, is a dental procedure that removes the infection from the core area or inside of a specific tooth. It can also help to prevent the tooth from infection in the long term.
The concept of root canal treatment
A “root canal” is rather a component of a tooth, than just therapy. The pulp, also known as the inner chamber of a tooth, comprises nerve tissue, blood vessels, and other cells.
A tooth is made up of two parts, the crown, and the roots. The crown of the tooth is mostly above the gum line, while the roots are inside the gum. The tooth’s roots anchor it to the jawbone.
The pulp is located between the crown and the root canal. The pulp nourishes the tooth and keeps the surrounding tissue wet. Hot and cold temperatures are perceived as pain by the nerves in the pulp.
Endodontic therapy, which means “inside the tooth,” is the term of the dental procedure generally referred to as a “root canal.” The phrase “root canal” has, nevertheless, become widely used to describe surgery.
The root canal treatment is certainly not some kind of music to the ears of those having some or little knowledge about the treatment. It sounds dreadful, and the treatment is no fun. A root canal is a removal of diseased soft tissue (pulp) from inside the mouth.
- Don’t get tricked by pain
Since the pulp inside the tooth is densely packed with nerves and blood vessels, it is not at all pleasant. Don’t be tricked into thinking the infection is gone just because the pain goes away. The pain usually goes away as the pulp dies. As the infection spreads to your roots, you’ll notice other symptoms like leaking pus and inflammation on the face. Don’t put off therapy because you’re not experiencing any pain. - Root canal surgery is not necessarily excruciating
Root canal surgery and pain are commonly assumed to be synonymous for those who are about to undergo the treatment for the first time. However, the dental surgery is meant for eliminating pain rather than creating it. You’ll be given a local anaesthetic to numb the tooth and afflicted area before the operation. The operation should resemble the filling of a cavity. - It takes the necessary time to heal
While the therapy itself is painless, you will most likely feel sore and unpleasant for a few days thereafter while it repairs. Dentists frequently prescribe pain relievers and, on rare occasions, drugs to quicken the healing process. It’s essential to get plenty of rest and eat soft meals to help your body recuperate quickly. Many people are able to resume their normal routine after a few days. - Protecting your tooth
Typically, your dentist will apply a temporary filling in the tooth after your treatment. At a later visit, a permanent crown or filling will be placed. Since the tooth and its temporary filling are at great risk of fracture, you must safeguard them before they are entirely healed. - Root canal treatment does not solve your problem permanently
A root canal operation does not safeguard your teeth from cavities or gum disease. Crowns, on the other hand, can endure a long time with proper tooth brushing, flossing, and frequent dental check-ups. - A root canal is a better option than a tooth extraction
When the pulp in your tooth becomes infected, the only other option is to have the tooth pulled. Because removing one tooth can cause your other teeth to shift, this is not recommended. This could alter the quality of your bite and grin! - Intake of antibiotics is not the solution to tooth infection
When you have a toothache caused by an infection, one of the first things that come to mind for most people is to try to treat it with antibiotics. Antibiotics, on the other hand, function by travelling via the bloodstream to the infected location. Because of the position of this tooth infection, antibiotic treatment cannot adequately reach it to treat it. - A root canal can keep you away from tooth extraction
You may save your tooth and your smile by getting root canal therapy. Extraction is the sole alternative option for treating infected or irritated pulp. Root canal therapy is a very successful, less invasive procedure. - The value of your health precedes the value of money
A root canal isn’t the most costly dental procedure. It may be costly, but protecting a tooth is sometimes more vital than the cost! Dental implants and extractions typically are substantially more costly. - Root canals usually have high success rates
Root canal therapy is effective. The success rate of root canals with a crown or filling is quite high. A tooth is disinfected and cleaned throughout the treatment, allowing it to recover. - It is not a time-consuming procedure
A root canal may be completed in a matter of minutes! It doesn’t necessarily burden you with a lot of visits to the dentist. Surely, it depends on the state of the tooth, but it may be done in a few hours. - The root canal procedure is less time consuming than the procedure of tooth extraction
One to three dental visits are required for root canal therapy. Tooth extraction, on the other hand, necessitates many visits due to the need for dental implants to prevent the adjacent teeth from moving. As a result, the number of visits necessary for endodontic treatment is mostly determined by the state of the tooth. - Root canal treatment can retrieve a dead tooth
A dead tooth can be saved with endodontic therapy. When the blood flow to the nerve of the tooth root is cut off, the tooth dies. A root canal can effectively deter germs from multiplying inside the dead tooth and the adjacent bone. - The rate of patient satisfaction.
Around 15 percent of the total population in the U.S are scared of seeking dental treatment. However, 89 percent of patients are satisfied with the treatment of root canal. - What do dental educators say?
93 percent of dental educators agree that endodontists are an important element of a dental health care team.