As a dentist I’ve done numerous root canals. Of all the procedures I do, this is the one that seems to strike fear in the heart of most patients. Hopefully by end of this article, any misconceptions you may have will be resolved . A root canal is a procedure designed to save a tooth from being lost. Its goal is to remove the bacterial infection within the canals of the tooth and to preserve it’s integrity. Root canals need not be painful. The majority of the time the nerve is dead, so no pain should be felt, even without anesthetic. There are, however, times when pockets of live nerve may exist or an abscess is present. An abscess is a pocket of gas and pus that puts pressure on the tooth. Abscesses are uncomfortable and difficult to numb. Under these circumstances, some discomfort may be experienced. Invariably an experienced dentist may opt to put the patient on antibiotics first, reducing the abscess and its discomfort before starting the root canal procedure. In the case of literally hitting a live nerve, anesthetic can be directly applied to the site to give instant relief.
Root canal problems aren’t necessarily painful either. The following is a description of what to expect when being seen by a dentist. First of all having just some sensitivity to cold, by itself isn’t diagnostic of a major problem. If however you have any one of the following symptoms such as having hot sensitivity that occurs and magnifies(for about 15 minutes) after the hot stimulus has dissipated, the inability to chew on the tooth or the feeling that the tooth is higher than before , are indications that you may have the start of a root canal problem.
When you’re first seen by the dentist he will ask many questions, take radiographs, conduct some rudimentary tests and possibly do a pulp test to determine if a problem exists. If it’s deemed that a root canal procedure is necessary, then realize that you will need the proper restoration on this tooth when the root canal is completed. Root canaled teeth tend to be more brittle than others, because the blood vessels that feed the tooth are also removed when the root canal is completed. Most of these teeth should be restored via a buildup and crown to adequately protect it.
On the day of the root canal, you will be given a lidocaine derivative to numb the area. The dentist will most probably place something called a rubber dam over the tooth that sill be worked on. This is used to keep the area as sterile as possible, to improve visibility and to prevent the aspiration of dental instruments. A small opening or access is made into the tooth to reach the nerve space. A sequence of files is next used to widen the canals in order to sterilize it and to facilitate the placement of the future filling material, gutta percha. A peroxide based liquid solution is used as an irrigant to facilitate the debridement of the canal. When the desired width has been reached, the canal is dried and the gutta percha along with a root canal cement will be placed and condensed to seal up the space completely. A temporary filling will be placed on the opening made and the patient will be given the appropriate medications, if needed, by the dentist. Final restoration usually can proceed, if the patient’s asymptomatic, within 3 to 4 weeks. During the procedure numerous pictures may be taken, necessary for the dentist to confirm his working distance within the tooth. The whole procedure may be done within one visit or spread out over several. The number of canals, their shape and their access determine this.
Post operatively you can expect some soreness, but little by way of pain. Unusual circumstances such as more swelling and pain need to be evaluated by the dentist immediately. In general, root canals, are painless for the most part, and aside from the boredom of the procedure, has gotten an ill deserved bad reputation. By doing it, you’ll save your tooth and prevent further damage and pain from occurring.
Learn about the Root Canal Procedure and how a root canal can help counteract infection. Get the facts on Root Canal Procedure: All About Root Canal Therapy.