The root canal procedure is recommended by the dentists for saving badly damaged or infected teeth. The root canal procedure prevents the removal of teeth. Apparently, no one will be interested in losing their teeth. Getting a suitable replacement is very costly. When carrying out the root canal procedure, the dentists will target affected tissues. The tissues are commonly referred to as the pulp in dentistry. The dentists will remove all of the infected pulp. After removing it, they will clean the canal and disinfect it. The space that was once covered by the pulp will be filled with filling materials before it is sealed. The name root canal originated from the cleaning of the canals.
What results in pulp infection is a cracked tooth and deep cavity. The cracks and cavity make it possible for bacteria to reach the nerve area. Repeating the same treatment on a particular tooth can affect the pulp. Urgent treatment of the tooth is vital. That will prevent it from spreading to other teeth. That would be a serious dental problem. With the aid of competent dentists, patients can be assured of safe procedures.
What to expect during root canal procedures
Do not opt for root canal treatment without consulting the dentist. The dental experts must examine the affected tooth. Their findings will determine whether you should obtain the treatment or not. Listed below are the steps performed by the dentist during the procedure.
X-Ray – The first step is getting an X-Ray of the infected part. The purpose of the X-Ray is to show the exact part of the tooth that is affected. It is impossible to detect the decay with normal eyes. The image will reveal the extent of the decay. Using the image, the dentist will know the exact way to remove the decay.
Anesthesia – The procedure cannot be done without local anesthesia. That is because it is very painful. The local anesthesia is injected into the infected tooth. That will make the tooth to become numb. The procedure will, therefore, be less painful. It is advisable to discuss with the dentist on the appropriate anesthesia. Get information regarding the types of anesthesia before picking the best one.
Pulpectomy-The dentist would need an opening to reach the pulp. Pulpectomy is the process of creating an opening. Via the opening, the infected pulp will be removed. Cleaning and disinfection will be done via the same opening.
Filling-After cleaning, the space left by the removed pulp needs to be filled. The dentists use the gutta-percha material to fill the space. Unlike the removed pulp, the filling material is not a living tissue. That is why teeth are dead after this procedure. After filling, the opening is sealed with cement.
