Understanding Root Canal Treatment
Did you know that there are more than 15 million root canals performed annually? However, even with these numbers, the treatment still suffers from many misconceptions. The procedure is indicated when the pulp tissue is already infected by bacteria causing inflammation and then pain. Nerves may be exposed due to a large cavity that can be contaminated by outside elements. This usually occurs when a large cavity exposes the nerve in the center of a tooth to contaminants. This infection in the tooth must be treated if the tooth is to be saved
However, because dental care is not as prioritized as other care concerns, a lot of dental issues are not addressed before they cause so much damage that a root canal is needed. Hopefully, as more people are educated in this regard, more tooth-saving visits to the dentist can serve them well.
Firstly, many think that when a tooth hurts, a root canal is needed. Actually, not all teeth that need root canals hurt. About 40 percent of the time a nerve dies in a tooth without the patient knowing it until the dentist finds out via radiographs and performs diagnostic testing. Different patients manifest different symptoms even if they similarly have a dead nerve and the presence of bacteria in the tooth. Hence, pain is not always the signal that you need a root canal.
What basically is the treatment about?
The endodontist performs a root canal by accessing the infected tooth’s interior through drilling the chewing surface. This is to clean out the decay and bacteria inside. After application of a filling material, a crown is placed to protect the tooth from fracture or leakage.
What happens if the tooth is not treated? An infected tooth may not manifest symptoms for some time. There might be no pain to complain about. But then, an infected tooth can cause bone loss in the jaw and can lead to pain and swelling. In advanced cases, a patient may have to be hospitalized due to the infection that has invaded the general circulation. In most cases root canal infection is localized.
So what’s the best prevention?
Don’t leave a cavity unattended or you might need a root canal when a deep cavity reaches the nerve. Always practise good oral hygiene and have regular visits to the dentist to spot the early signs of tooth decay. While root canal is a tooth-saving procedure, prevention is better.
SourceTooth-Saving Therapy in Lynnwood
Our team at Lynnwood Song Dental encourages patients to schedule semi-annual dental checkups and routine x-rays that will give us the chance to catch any cavities early, before a root canal becomes necessary.
