When is root canal treatment needed?

This is an automatically translated article.

Root canal treatment involves cleaning the inside of the tooth's root canal, which in turn can irritate surrounding nerves and gums. In fact, root canal treatment is a way to help you avoid the pain associated with tooth decay or fracture.

1. What is the treatment of unrooted tooth pulp?

Root canal treatment or root canal is a dental procedure that involves removing the soft central part of a tooth, the pulp. The pulp is made up of connective tissue, nerves, and blood vessels that help teeth grow.
In most cases, your dentist will perform a root canal while you are under local anesthesia.

2. When should root canal treatment be needed?

Root canal treatment is done when the soft inner part of the tooth is damaged, inflamed or infected.
The crown is the part you see above the gum that can remain intact even after the pulp is dead. Removing damaged or infected pulp is the best way to preserve the structure of the tooth.
Common causes of pulp damage include:
Untreated tooth decay. Performing multiple dental procedures on the same tooth. A chip or crack in the tooth. Trauma to the tooth even without cracking the tooth. Symptoms commonly seen when the pulp is damaged include toothache, swelling, and a burning sensation in the gums. The dentist will examine the affected tooth and take X-rays to confirm the diagnosis.

3. Steps to treat the pulp of a tooth that has not yet closed the apex

Root canal treatment that has not been apexed is done in the dental office. This is not an emergency treatment, so you can make an appointment with your dentist to have a root canal done at the most convenient time.
Steps to treat root canals that have not yet formed apex include:
Step 1: Anesthesia The dentist will place a small amount of numbing medicine on your gums, near the affected tooth. Once the medication has taken effect, a local anesthetic is injected into the gums. You may feel a stinging or burning sensation, but this should pass quickly.
You will remain awake during the treatment, but the anesthetic will keep you from feeling any pain.
Step 2: Remove the pulp When your tooth is numb, the dentist will make a small hole in the top of the tooth. Once the infected or damaged pulp is exposed, the doctor will carefully remove it with special tools called files. They will take special care to clean all the canals in your tooth.
Step 3: Antibiotics Once the pulp has been removed, the dentist may apply a topical antibiotic to the area to ensure that the infection is gone and to prevent reinfection. After the canals are cleaned and disinfected, the dentist will fill and seal the tooth with a paste and rubber-like material (called gutta-percha). They may also prescribe oral antibiotics for you.
Step 4: Temporary Filling The dentist will fill the small hole in the top of the tooth with a soft temporary material. This sealant helps prevent saliva from entering and damaging the canal.

4. Re-examination after root canal treatment

Your teeth and gums may be sore and swollen when the anesthetic wears off. Most dentists will ask you to treat these symptoms with an over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil). Call your dentist if the pain becomes severe or lasts more than a few days.
You can return to your normal routine immediately after the procedure. However, it is important to avoid chewing with a root-treated tooth that has not yet closed the apex.

You will need to see your dentist regularly for a few days after the root canal is removed. The dentist will take X-rays to make sure the infection is gone. They will also replace the temporary filling with a permanent filling.
If you prefer, the dentist can put a permanent cap over the tooth. Dental caps are artificial teeth that can be made of porcelain or gold, which prevent damage. It may take a few weeks for you to get used to how your teeth feel after the procedure, so there's no need to worry about it, as it's normal.

5. Possible risks of root canal treatment

Root canal is done with the purpose of “saving” your tooth. However, sometimes the damage is too deep or the enamel is too weak, which can lead to tooth loss.
Another risk of root canal treatment is developing a root abscess if some infected material remains or antibiotics are not effective.
If you are concerned about getting a root canal, you can talk to your dentist about having a tooth extracted. This usually involves placing a partial denture, bridge, or implant in the damaged tooth.

6. Recovery time after root canal treatment

Most people who have a root canal treatment without apex achieve good results. However, how long the results of root canal treatment last depends on how you take care of your teeth.
Before the procedure begins, the dentist will apply a local anesthetic to minimize pain. You may still feel some pressure during the cleaning process, but you won't feel any pain while doing it.
When the local anesthetic wears off after the root canal, you may experience mild pain and sensitivity. This is related to the cleaning process during root canal treatment. During this procedure, the dentist makes a small hole in the crown and cleans the diseased pulp inside the pulp chamber of the tooth. Although uncomfortable, any pain and sensitivity after a root canal should only last a few days.
Since the pain after a root canal is usually mild, you can simply take an over-the-counter pain reliever. You should also avoid eating hard foods immediately after the root canal, as this can cause more pain.
Pain after root canal treatment will decrease over time. If you still have severe pain or swelling, you should see your dentist. Most people need one to two sessions for a successful root canal. In severe cases, you may need more frequent cleanings of the canal. Recurrent pain may be an indication that this needs to be done.

7. How to take care of your teeth after root canal treatment

Practicing good oral hygiene can help relieve pain from pulpitis. These can also help your new crown last for many years and protect all remaining teeth. Therefore, please take the following oral care measures:
Do not eat foods that are too hard, especially right after root canal treatment. Brush your teeth at least twice a day. Be sure to move the toothbrush in gentle circular motions to clean your teeth without aggravating them. Floss once a day to help prevent infection. Limit your intake of sugary foods and drinks. Schedule regular dental cleanings to help keep your teeth strong and infection-free. To examine and treat dental problems, you can go to the Department of Odonto-Stomatology - Vinmec International General Hospital. Currently, Vinmec is one of the leading prestigious hospitals in the country, trusted by a large number of patients for medical examination and treatment. Not only the physical system, modern equipment: 6 ultrasound rooms, 4 DR X-ray rooms (1 full-axis machine, 1 light machine, 1 general machine and 1 mammography machine) , 2 DR portable X-ray machines, 2 multi-row CT scanner rooms (1 128 rows and 1 16 arrays), 2 Magnetic resonance imaging rooms (1 3 Tesla and 1 1.5 Tesla), 1 room for 2 levels of interventional angiography and 1 room to measure bone mineral density.... Vinmec is also the place where a team of experienced doctors and nurses will gather a lot of support in diagnosis and detection. early signs of abnormality in the patient's body. In particular, with a space designed according to 5-star hotel standards, Vinmec ensures to bring the patient the most comfort, friendliness and peace of mind.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

Reference source: healthline.com