Understanding Root Canal Therapy

February 07, 2024, Lighthouse Dental and Implant Center

One dental technique used to treat damaged or infected teeth is root canal therapy. By extracting the diseased tissue from within the tooth and sealing it to stop further infection, it attempts to preserve the tooth.

Why is Root Canal Therapy Needed?

Severe tooth decay: Cavities can lead to infection and pain when they get deep enough to reach the tooth's inner pulp.
Dental trauma: Bacteria can enter a tooth that has been broken or fractured as a result of an injury and infect the pulp within.
Infection or inflammation: Dental trauma or untreated cavities can result in an infection or inflammation of the pulp, which can hurt and swell.

Signs You Might Need a Root Canal

Chronic toothache, particularly with biting or pressure.
sensitivity to changes in temperature, even in the absence of the cause of the change.
Gums around the diseased tooth may swell and become sensitive.
teeth discoloration or darkening.
A protrusion on the gums that resembles a pimple and that, when squeezed, may produce pus.

The Root Canal Procedure

Diagnosis: The dentist near you examines the tooth and obtains X-rays to assess the degree of damage and infection.
Anesthesia: To ensure a pain-free operation, local anesthesia is administered to numb the area surrounding the afflicted tooth.
Pulpectomy: Using specialist tools, the diseased or injured pulp inside the tooth is removed.
Cleaning and shaping: To prepare the inside of the tooth for a filling, it is carefully cleaned and shaped.
Filling: To seal the tooth and stop further infection, the cleansed inside space is filled with a biocompatible substance called gutta-percha.
Restoration: In order to restore the tooth's strength and function following a root canal, a filling or crown may be needed.

Benefits of Root Canal Therapy

Helps avoid the need for tooth extraction by preserving the natural tooth.
reduces the agony and pain brought on by dental infections.
restores the ability to bite and chew normally.
Keeps the grin intact by stopping gaps or neighbouring teeth from moving.
long-lasting outcomes with appropriate upkeep and care.

Aftercare and Maintenance

To ensure proper dental health, practice consistent brushing and flossing.
Consistently attend dental examinations and cleanings to monitor the condition of your treated teeth.
Biting into tough or sticky foods could cause damage to the tooth that has been repaired.
For root canal therapy to heal as best it can and to be successful in the long run, pay attention to any further advice your dentist may give you.

Numerous people have benefited from root canal therapy by keeping their natural teeth and saving their smiles. If you are located in Vancouver and looking for a dentist near you, do not hesitate to see a dentist in Vancouver if you see any signs of tooth damage or infection to find out if root canal therapy is the best course of action for you.
 

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