Root Canal

Root canal therapy, also known as endodontic therapy is a dental treatment procedure that involves the removal of infection from the inside of a tooth. This treatment helps to prevent the spread of the infection. The treatment involves the removal of nerves from the pulp of the teeth. Although thought to be very painful, modern root canal therapy is less likely to cause pain than tooth extraction processes.

 

What is the Root Canal?

When we say root canal, we do not refer to a treatment procedure, but rather a part of the tooth. The root canal is the part of the tooth where the nerves and blood vessels are contained. It is otherwise known as the pulp. The pulp provides nourishment and moisture to the tooth. The nerves in the pulp are also responsible for transmitting pain signals to the brain when we swallow hot or cold substances. The removal of the pulp in the case of decay or infection is referred to as root canal therapy or treatment.

 

Root Canal Therapy

Root canal therapy involves three major steps.

1.   Cleaning the root canal

The root canal has to be cleaned out. After administering local anesthesia, the dentist cuts the tooth and then removes all of the dead or infected cells with the use of small files. The tooth is then cleaned and disinfected to get rid of all the bacteria.

2.   Filling the root canal

The next step is to fill up the root canal. This is done using a rubber-like material. The ends are then sealed up with a cementitious material. Root canal therapy ends up with the tooth dead. No pain can be felt in the tooth the treatment has been carried out on. This is because all the nerves which are responsible for feeling have been taken out of the tooth.

3.   Adding a crown or filling

Once the tooth is filled up, it needs to be strengthened. As the pulp has been removed, it no longer receives nourishment through the blood vessels in the pulp. The nourishment the tooth will continue to receive through the gums is not enough to maintain its integrity. A crown or filling will however help to protect the teeth and also return their appearance.

Root canal therapy is often completed in one appointment, although some special cases may require several visits.

 

Disadvantages of Tooth Extraction

The removal of a tooth has both aesthetic and functional disadvantages. A missing tooth will leave a gap in your dentition which may affect your confidence when you smile. A gap in your teeth may also affect the way you speak and prevent you from being able to chew food properly. The removal of a tooth may prompt you to get an artificial replacement that will not feel and look like your real tooth. Also, the removal of a tooth automatically limits the options you have for treatment as the tooth once removed cannot be reattached.

 

Benefits of Root Canal Therapy

●       Treats the pain

Root canal therapy will help you deal with exposed nerves that cause you pain and discomfort. This doesn’t get rid of just the pain, but rather the root cause of the pain. This will enable you to continue your daily life without the discomfort of aching gums. Root canal therapy is also done under the influence of anesthesia. This combined with modern tooth canal therapy procedures serves to make the process painless. It has been established that the root canal therapy process involves less pain than a tooth extraction.

●       Stops Infection

When your tooth decays, it creates an avenue for the spread of infections in your mouth. During root canal treatment, the bacteria responsible for infection in your tooth is removed and the root canal is cleaned properly and disinfected to ensure that there are no remnants of the bacteria. This will prevent the spread of infection to the other parts of your mouth which can result in serious complications.

●       Aesthetic appeal

After a root canal treatment, your tooth is filled in and then topped with a crown. A crown will not only restore the appearance of your natural teeth but can also help to cover up pre-existing blemishes. Now you can smile as widely as you want without worrying about broken or decaying teeth.

●       Preserves your teeth

Without root canal treatment, a damaged tooth will have to be extracted with an artificial one. A replacement tooth will however not feel and look the same as a real one. Most times, a decaying tooth will only have some part of it affected. This part can be removed, leaving the rest of the tooth healthy. This allows you to keep your superior natural teeth.

●       It can help with tooth sensitivity

Root canal treatment is one of the ways of treating severe cases of tooth sensitivity. Since the nerves are taken out of the tooth during root canal treatment, it allows you to continue living with the annoying tooth sensitivity problem.

●       It prevents tooth movement

Removing a tooth can cause the other teeth to shift due to the gap that is created by the removal. This can lead to other dental problems. Since the tooth remains in its position when you undergo root canal therapy, you avoid the risk of tooth movement.

●       It is cost-effective

While the process of tooth canal therapy may cost more than that of tooth extraction, you have to go for fewer follow-up appointments. In the short term, tooth extraction is the cheaper option. When you consider the long term though, the more affordable option is tooth canal therapy.

Conclusion

While root canal therapy seems like the best course of action for damaged teeth, you have to seek professional advice to make sure that it is suitable for your particular case. Over at Times Square Dental, our Boise dentist will give you advice on which procedure is best for you. In situations where either option is viable, you can select which one you are more comfortable with.