Tooth infection can be painful and distressing. Recurrent pain and discomfort can negatively impact your quality of life and sleep. Pain often occurs when there is any kind of infection that may involve nerve endings within your tooth pulp. The spread of the infection into the deeper layers of the tooth can lead to a compromise in the structure and function. In such cases, dentists often recommend extensive dental procedures like root canal therapy.
The dentist in Concord, NC, and their team expertise in simple to complex root canal procedures with state-of-the-art technology. This helps relieve painful symptoms and seal the tooth permanently to prevent any further damage.
What is root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment (RCT) is a common non-surgical, endodontic procedure performed by dental specialists (endodontists) to restore a severely damaged tooth. The purpose of this procedure is to eliminate the infection and to replace the extracted pulp tissue with a biocompatible material like gutta-percha.
The pulp is the innermost layer of the tooth, which comprises blood vessels and nerve endings. It is an important part of the tooth that provides nourishment. When regular dental fillings fail to restore your tooth, root canal therapy is often the most preferred choice of treatment.
Why do dentists recommend root canal treatment?
Your dentist may recommend root canal therapy if you experience the following symptoms:
- Severe tooth pain that does not go away even after medications
- Extreme sensitivity to heat and cold
- Swollen and inflamed gums (gum abscess)
- Visibly swollen jaw
- Tooth discoloration
- Pain when pressure is applied
- A chipped or cracked tooth
- Loose tooth
How is root canal treatment performed?
Root canal therapy is a simple and often painless procedure. It involves the following process:
Tooth evaluation
Your dentist will examine your oral cavity and check for any clinical warning signs.
Oral radiographs will be taken to determine the extent of pulpal involvement and to assess the root morphology for further course of action.
Biomechanical preparation of the tooth
Your dentist will use ultrasonic instruments, and the decayed tissues will be excavated, and an access opening will be done to expose the pulp chamber and root canals. The entire pulp tissue will be removed using sharp endodontic files. The root canals will be filed and prepared using RC files. The canals will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected and finally sealed with gutta-percha.
Final tooth restoration
Once the tooth is treated, your dentist will restore your tooth with a suitable crown.
Keynote
Recurrent excruciating toothache can be very daunting. This can negatively impact your daily routine and life. Thankfully, with procedures like RCT, dentists can successfully restore your oral cavity to its original form, function, and aesthetics.
