Root Canal Treatment in Phoenix: What You Should Know
It is a treatment procedure used to repair and save teeth that are highly decayed or infected. However, ‘root canal’ is a name that refers to the natural cavity within the center of the tooth.
When carrying out Endodontic therapy in Phoenix, the nerve and pulp are removed. After removing the pulp chamber and the nerve, the tooth is cleaned and sealed. The pulp chamber is a soft area within the root canal and the nerve lies within the cavity.
The nerve’s main function is to sense. However, the presence of the nerve does not affect the functioning of the teeth.
Root Canal Treatment Procedure in Phoenix
Root canal treatment in Phoenix requires a single visit to an endodontist. At times you may be required to make more visits.
Your dentist at All Smiles Dental Care will first take an x-ray of your tooth. The x-ray is used to see the shape of your teeth and determine whether there is an infection or not within the surrounding bone. Once he or she determines whether to go ahead with the process, he will anesthetize the area surrounding the tooth.
Your tooth will be wrapped with a rubber dam to keep the area dry and saliva-free. The dentist will then drill an access hole into your tooth. Pulp, bacteria, and the affected nerve tissue are then removed through the access hole.
Root canal files are used to scrape the debris from the walls of the root canal. After scraping, sodium hypochlorite or water flushes out the debris. Once the root canal is cleaned, it is then sealed.
The cavity might be sealed right after cleaning or after a week. It depends on the condition of your root canal. In case you have an infection, your dentist will put you under the medication and leave it to clear before sealing it.
Post Endodontic Treatment in Phoenix
After a root canal treatment, you may require a filling in the cavity. A rubber paste, known as gutta-percha and a sealer paste are used to fill the interior of the tooth. A filling is also used to fill the access hole.
Your tooth may require a restorative dentistry procedure if you have extensive tooth decay or crown weakness.
What Are the Causes of a Root Canal?
Tooth decay, large fillings, and repeated dental procedures may lead to inflammation or irritation of the pulp and nerve tissue. The signs of a tooth that requires root canal treatment are:
- Severe pain on the teeth
- Prolonged sensitivity to cold or hot temperatures
- Swelling of the gums around the tooth
Is an Endodontic Therapy Procedure Painful?
People always dread getting this treatment. However, you should not fear getting your root canal treated. With the help of anesthesia, your dentist will ensure numbness while carrying out the procedure. Since this procedure is used to ease the prolonged pain you should consider it.
What Are the Benefits of Root Canal Treatment?
With the evolving technology, root canal therapy has become a simple procedure to combat pain caused by tooth decay.
Here are the major benefits of root canal therapy:
- It counters the spread of infection to the neighboring teeth. When a root canal therapy is performed bacteria causing infections are removed. It prevents the infection from spreading to other teeth.
- Prevents the jawbone from degenerating. This procedure preserves a tooth, and prevents the jaw from degeneration since a missing tooth causes the jawbone to degenerate.
- Saves your teeth. After a root canal treatment, your tooth will not be lost thus this procedure preserves your teeth.
- Enhances your oral health. Root canal therapy prevents the spread of infections hence protects the gum and neighboring teeth.
- It enhances appearance. The tooth that has been treated is sealed with a filling or a crown. The crown provides a beautiful appearance and enhances your smile.
Post Treatment Care Tips
To aid the healing process after root canal therapy, you should do the following:
- Brush your teeth gently at least twice in a day
- Reduce the intake of sugary foods
- Do not eat hard foodstuffs especially right after the treatment
- Floss at least once a day to prevent infections
- Do not play aggressive sports right after treatment
- Visit the dentist regularly for cleaning and check-ups