A root canal treatment is considered one of the scariest dental procedures possible. Dental decay, left untreated, will progress until it goes deep inside the tooth and reaches the pulp tissues. Root canal treatments are done to replace infected pulp with fillings of appropriate material. The procedure can be used to save your teeth instead of having them removed, leaving gaps and unsightly appearances behind.
How Teeth Get Infected
The roots of your teeth have blood vessels and nerves which help to nourish the tooth, giving it nutrients and oxygen. When dental decay happens and is left untreated, it progresses to the roots, infected and inflaming the nerves and blood vessels. This inflamed pulp dies and is replaced by pus and infected organic tissues, which causes pain and swelling. It can also cause damage to the surrounding bones, resulting in an abscess.
With root canal treatment, the infected pulp is removed, and a filling is placed there to keep it safe and make it stronger.
The Procedure
At KB Village Dental, they refer to root canals as endodontic treatment. Root canal treatments include cleaning and sterilising the canal and removing any infected tissue. It can take two or more visits, depending on your situation. If your tooth is already infected, you’ll be asked to take antibiotics for three to five days to kill the infection and reduce pain. On the day of your treatment, you’ll be given local anaesthesia to make you more comfortable.
A rubber dam is put around the infected tooth to keep it dry and prevent contamination of other teeth. A dental drill is used to open the tooth so that the dentist can remove infected pulp. Your tooth is cleaned, and a filling material is used to strengthen the tooth. You are left with a reinforced tooth, and a new lease on your smile.
