What Happens During a Root Canal Treatment to Save Your Tooth

Posted on: June 7, 2019

root canal Ijamsville, MD

When your tooth is badly decayed or infected, root canal therapy is used by dentists to remove the decay and save the tooth. The procedure is performed when the pulp in the tooth, which contains nerves and blood vessels, is badly damaged, leaving you in a considerable amount of pain. During the procedure, the pulp is removed from the tooth, then your dentist will clean out the tooth and seal it with a dental crown.

How is a root canal performed?

Undergoing a root canal treatment requires more than one visit to the dentist, and the procedure can be performed by a regular dentist or an endodontist, a dentist that specializes in diseases and injuries to dental pulp. Here is what you can expect during the procedure:

During your first visit, the dentist will take an X-ray of your teeth to get a better look at the condition of the tooth’s pulp and they will also check to see if there are any signs of infection on the bone surrounding the tooth.

Your dentist will then use local anesthesia to numb the area surrounding the tooth to make you more relaxed during the procedure. The dentist will also place a rubber dam around the infected tooth to keep it dry during the procedure.

Once the dam has been put in place, your dentist will drill a hole in the infected tooth to remove the pulp before cleaning out the remaining part of the tooth with root canal files to get rid of the bacteria and remaining debris.

After cleaning out the tooth, your dentist will seal the tooth to prevent infection and further damage to the tooth. In some cases, your dentist can decide to wait a week before sealing the tooth. If the root canal cannot be completed on the same day, your dentist will use a temporary filling or temporary dental crown to protect the tooth until you come back for your next appointment.

When the root canal is completed, your dentist will protect the tooth with a dental crown.

What to expect after the procedure

The first thing you will notice once the root canal treatment is completed is the relief from the pain you were feeling before the procedure. During the first couple of days, your teeth may be a little sensitive because of tissue inflammation, especially if you were in a lot of pain before the procedure. If the pain is too much to handle, you should take an over-the-counter medication like Advil or Tylenol for the pain.

In most cases, root canal therapy patients are able to resume their normal activities a day after the procedure.

What is the success rate of root canal treatment?

Dentists have had a lot of success performing root canal treatments, boasting a 95 percent success rate when performing the procedure. In a lot of those cases, the teeth that they fix can last for a very long time.

Conclusion

Root canal treatments are commonly used to fix decayed or infected teeth. If you have a damaged or infected tooth, talk to your dentist as soon as possible to find out if you need to undergo root canal treatment.

Request an appointment here: https://urbanafamily.com or call Urbana Family Dental Care at (301) 605-1157 for an appointment in our Ijamsville office.

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.


Related Posts

April 5, 2022

How Long Does Teeth Whitening From A Dentist Last?

Teeth whitening from a dentist is a great way to improve the appearance of your smile and remove stubborn stains. A common question that many patients ask relates to how long …

March 7, 2022

Everyday Preventive Dentistry Tips for Adults

The role of preventative dentistry is to minimize the risk of future dental issues in patients. Read on to learn some tips that encourage the prevention of oral issues. If you have …

February 1, 2022

Why a Family Dentist Requires Regular Cleanings

Your family dentist reiterates the importance of regular cleanings for a reason. For optimal oral health, daily oral care, and regular visits to the dental office are crucial. You may think you …

January 4, 2022

How Often to Visit a General Dentist Office

Has it been a while since you had a general dentist checkup? You know how critical it is to maintain good health. Taking good care of your mouth, teeth and gums is …