To help understand root canal treatment, let’s examine this in greater depth, why they’ve been the go-to procedure for treating tooth pain, and how modern dentistry has made them easier for patients around the world.
A standard dental procedure called root canal treatment or therapy can help alleviate oral pain or discomfort when a tooth is decayed, damaged, cracked or infected. With the help of medical advances and modern Endodontic technology, root canal treatments are no longer as scary as they once were.
As a procedure that used to be associated with complications and excruciating pain, the modern root canal procedure has now been contemporized with patients walking away pain-free and infection-free in most cases.
What causes a Root Canal infection?
The pulp is the soft tissue in the center, or core of your teeth that contains a nerve and blood supply that nourishes your tooth and is responsible for the initial formation of your tooth when they first come into your mouth. Over time, a tooth can become infected or decayed. The reason for infection of the pulp is due to ingress of bacteria into the pulp space. This occurs when a cavity or crack in the tooth extends deep inside the tooth. This can cause severe pain and or swelling, which results in pain signals being sent to your body to alert you of an impending or active pulpal infection. The pulp in the center of the tooth is a complex set of nerve endings and blood vessels, which can cause excruciating pain when exposed to bacteria from your mouth. .
Through thorough examination by way of x-rays, pulpal tests, and 3D imaging, as the pain progresses, your dentist or Endodontist may recommend a root canal treatment to alleviate the pain and save your tooth from needing an extraction. Not only will the root canal treatment remove all of the infection within your tooth, but the endodontist will clean and disinfect the area to help against further pain and inflammation. There is often a concern and misconception that root canal treatment will leave a ‘dead’ tooth in your mouth. When a tooth is fully developed in adulthood, the function of the pulp shifts from primarily tooth development to pain perception. The function of the pulp is therefore reduced and the tooth retains its vitality through the periodontal ligaments that connect the roots of the tooth to the surrounding bone. Vitality in essence is preserved in that the surrounding bone remains healthy and intact so long as the infection within the tooth is removed in its entirety during a high quality root canal treatment.
What are signs you need a root canal treatment?
Several indicators can contribute to needing a root canal.
- Elevated sensitivity to cold or hot temperature food or drinks.
- Ongoing toothache; specifically while applying pressure through biting, touch or chewing.
- Swollen gums
- A pimple on your gums commonly described as a sinus tract.
Your dentist will provide a thorough diagnosis of the extent of the infection in your tooth and make a proper determination based on X-ray interpretation and other factors.
How modern technology has helped
Advancements in modern technology have made the root canal a much safer and less painful experience than it used to be. Gone are the days of outdated procedures that take forever to perform and cause ongoing excruciating pain. Specifically when you see a highly experienced Root Canal specialists, you are much more likely to experience a pain free procedure due to an Endodontist’s advanced training in administering local anesthesia and in effective pain management.
What is the process?
From examination to diagnosis to the actual procedure, the root canal treatment process used to take a few visits, however with advanced training and the most updated technology most Root Canals can and should be completed in 1 visit often in 1 hour or less. Our process is is seamless, pain free, and gets the job done quickly and efficiently:
- Initial consultation: When you go to your dentist for your consultation, a series of x-rays will be taken to determine the exact location of the infection. Then, a treatment plan will be laid out for you, with a clear schedule of visitations and expectations for the next steps. Oftentimes your general dentist will refer you to a root canal specialist so that you can have the most pleasant and predictable experience in this highly technical procedure.
- Procedure Process: Jakob Endodontics specializes in root canals and has perfected the process in a few easy steps. Rest assured that our sole focus on root canals allows us to practice at the highest level possible for these tooth saving procedures.
- Numbing the tooth: when you arrive, you will be placed in the chair and given a local anesthetic to numb any pain in your infected tooth. This will allow us to work on the tooth while feeling no pain whatsoever. Again with our extensive experience we know how to get the most painful tooth fully numb and comfortable within minutes.
- Removal of infection: our skilled Endodontist will create a small and conservative endodontic access opening within your tooth to find the infection residing within the pulp of the tooth. We use high magnification microscopes on every procedure to ensure that we locate all of the infected spaces (canals) of your tooth, while minimizing removal of healthy tooth structure. This is very important in that we must maximize disinfection while maintaining the structural integrity of the tooth.
- Cleaning and disinfecting: Our endodontist, Chaim Jakob, DMD will thoroughly clean out the infection to ensure that it does not return in the future. We believe that a root canal, when done properly, has a long term success rate that is unmatched with most dental and medical procedures. At Jakob Endodontics first time root canals have a 95-99% success rate. We attribute our high success rate to our ability to carefully locate all the canals within the tooth and to thoroughly clean them to the very end of the root. This not only ensures the infection is no longer there, but it also prevents any further bacterial reinfection..
- Fill the tooth: A biocompatible root canal filling material will be placed inside the canals of the tooth to ensure a long term seal and prevention from further infection. Your endodontist will place a temporary seal in the crown of the tooth and it is now ready to be restored with your general dentist.
- Restoring: In most cases, a core buildup permanent filling and crown will be placed by your general dentist 1-4 weeks after root canal treatment to help protect the tooth and to restore it to its original function.
What to expect after your procedure
Your teeth might feel sensitive, and you might feel some discomfort after the procedure. A great way to help the process is to avoid hard or sticky food. If pain persists, we recommend taking light painkillers like Tylenol or Advil. Most patients return to work or play the very same day of the procedure and most of the pain will dissipate within 24-48 hrs following a properly performed root canal procedure.
Benefits of a Root Canal
The main reason why a root canal is so valuable is that it ultimately will save your natural tooth. Over time, an infected and untreated tooth can lead to bone loss, difficulty chewing, loss of your tooth and resultant and uncomfortable shifting of teeth. A root canal can help preserve your oral health and prevent any long-term effects down the road.
It’s important to understand root canal treatment and its many advantages. If you are experiencing any pain in your teeth, don’t wait until the last minute to get it looked at. Consult your dentist and ensure you take care of your teeth correctly and never lose that smile!