Many patients fear root canal therapy because they have heard horror stories from others. Endodontic and restorative care has advanced significantly in the last two decades, and today, treatments like root canal therapy (RCT) are safer, faster, and more effective than ever before. Before you step in for the procedure and discuss further with your dentist in Kensington, CA, here is a simplified guide.
Why do you need RCT?
Usually, cavities can be treated with fillings and other restorations, such as onlays and inlays. However, if the cavity is deep and the decay has affected the inner chamber of a tooth, RCT may be necessary. RCT is also recommended for cracked and damaged teeth. There are some telltale signs that you may need this endodontic treatment –
- You have severe tooth pain that doesn’t go away
- Touching the affected tooth with your tongue hurts
- You have swelling or redness in the surrounding gums
- You have an abscess
- The affected tooth is discolored
A patient may not have any of these symptoms at all. Many times, dentists find an infected tooth through a regular X-ray done during a routine checkup.
What happens during root canal therapy?
Your dentist will usually start with taking dental X-rays, which will help them find the position of root canals and the extent of decay. The procedure begins with administering local anesthesia into the surrounding gums. While most patients don’t need sedation, you may discuss this with the dentist. They will then drill into the tooth to access the chamber and will use dental files to remove the inflamed pulp with blood vessels and decay. The final step is to disinfect the tooth and seal it with gutta-percha.
RCT can be done in one or many appointments. If your dentist recommends dividing the entire treatment into two to three visits, they will use a temporary filling between appointments.
Why do dentists recommend getting a crown?
Even after addressing the infection, there is a risk of damage, as the treated tooth is now hollow. A crown works as a protective cover, encasing the tooth. You will need two additional visits to get the crown. During the first visit, the dentist will prepare the tooth and take impressions. The impressions are sent to a lab to order the custom crown. The final visit involves cementing the crown.
What does recovery look like?
There is no downtime after root canal therapy, but your dentist may ask you to wait for a few minutes after each session. You may experience minor pain after the anesthesia effects are reduced. Call your dentist if they didn’t recommend medications to manage these issues or when you find it hard to endure the pain.
Can root canal therapy fail?
Although rare, root canal therapy may fail. It often happens because of new infections or when the root canals were cleaned entirely during the first treatment. The good news is your dentist can still save the infected tooth with root canal retreatment. The procedure is entirely like RCT, but the first step is to remove the crown.
What is the alternative to RCT?
If you don’t agree to root canal therapy, your dentist will have to remove the infected tooth to reduce the risks of damage to other teeth. Extractions are not considered until absolutely necessary, as there is a risk of bone loss and shifting of adjacent teeth. Also, the process of replacing missing teeth can be more time-consuming and expensive.
Now that you understand the basic aspects of RCT enter your dental clinic in Kensington with confidence. If you still have questions, your dentist will be happy to answer them for you.