What You Didn't Know About Root Canals ?

Date: 16th July 2024

Your recent trip to the dentist came with some surprising news – you need a Root Canal, also known as Endodontic treatment. While this may not sound like good news to you at first, endodontic treatment, when required, is a great solution to increase the lifetime of your natural teeth. Despite its reputation, you may need to learn how simple and straightforward this procedure is. In this article, we’ll discuss what is involved with a Root Canal procedure at Bonham Sunshine Dental and Implant Center!

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Why Does My Tooth Need a Root Canal?

Finding out that you need a root canal can be frustrating, but the good news is that it is a standard treatment in dentistry. You can be rest assured that your diagnosis at Bonham Sunshine Dental and Implant Center is accurate, as our dentist has diagnosed and treated many patients with similar dental conditions!

How Your Tooth Anatomy is Affected by Your Diagnosis

Understanding why a root canal may be necessary does require some basic understanding of tooth anatomy. A tooth is a surprisingly strong structure, and it is so due to the several layers of tooth tissues that form it.

The nerve and blood supply are located at the tooth’s center, collectively called the “pulp.” The pulp extends from the tooth’s crown and into the tooth roots, exiting out of a small hole located at the very end of the roots, called an “apex.” Damage to the tooth’s pulp often results in the need for endodontic treatment, commonly known as a “Root Canal.”

A relatively dense tissue called the “dentin” surrounds the pulp. The dentin is the second layer of defense for the pulp and comprises most of the tooth’s body. The dentin has some natural ability to protect the pulp from damage, but not entirely.

The outermost layer of the tooth is covered with “enamel.” Enamel is one of the strongest tissues in the human body. It is the first layer of defense for the pulp, and if cared for properly, it can do a fantastic job of protecting the tooth from the need for a root canal or even a filling.

Unfortunately, the oral cavity is a very hostile environment for any tissue due to the amount of bacteria and acid that are naturally present. Despite the best efforts made by individuals with oral hygiene and nutrition, cavities can still form and grow.

Typically, cavities are treated with a filling when bacteria destroys enamel or dentin. However, if the bacteria invade the tooth’s pulp, an infection will occur, slowly killing the tooth. The pulp is responsible for keeping the nutrients and nerve supply to the tooth alive. Once the pulp has become infected or traumatized, the tooth will die and be considered “non-vital.”

The good news is that a non-vital tooth can still function in the oral cavity if appropriately treated. A root canal is just the treatment needed to retain the diseased tooth permanently.

While infection in the pulp, often referred to as an “abscess,” is the most common reason for a root canal, other circumstances may indicate the need for one. A cracked tooth occurs when a minor fracture erupts due to chewing forces on a compromised tooth, which could necessitate a root canal. Trauma resulting from sports injuries or accidents may also require a root canal. Any incident that injures or inflames the tooth’s pulp can necessitate a root canal. Your dentist will complete the necessary diagnostic tests to determine the underlying need for endodontic treatment.

How Does a Dentist Determine My Need for a Root Canal?

Here at Bonham Sunshine Dental and Implant Center, our dentist will perform some diagnostic tests to determine if there is genuinely a need for a root canal. Some standard tests you could expect are as follows:

Dental Radiographs (X-rays):

Dental X-rays allow our dentist to see the tooth’s internal structure. X-rays help identify possible infection, bone damage, and the shape of the tooth roots. A root canal would not be possible without having a dental radiograph taken.

Pulp Vitality Testing:

Pulp vitality testing assesses how responsive the tooth’s pulp is to stimuli. The level of responsiveness indicates how vital the tooth is, meaning whether survival is possible without root canal treatment.

Electric Pulp Testing:

This test uses a small electrical stimulus to test a tooth’s response to electrical impulses. Electric pulp testing works similarly to pulp vitality testing and aids in evaluating the health of the pulp.

Percussion Testing:

The dentist will administer this simple test by tapping on the tooth in question to assess sensitivity and tenderness, which may indicate inflammation or infection in the surrounding tissue.

Thermal Testing:

This test involves applying heat or cold to the tooth to observe its response to temperature change. The response will help determine the vitality and health of the pulp.

As with any diagnosis, our skilled dentist will perform a thorough clinical examination, which enables an accurate diagnosis for our patients when combined with the previously discussed tests.

What Should I Expect During a Root Canal Procedure?

Endodontic procedures have long been associated with fear and discomfort. In reality, a root canal is not that different from a standard filling and is very tolerable.

Our patients often come to the office already in pain from an infection that needs treatment. The infection has inflamed the tooth’s nerve, causing swelling, pain, and heat at the tooth’s site. Typically, a round of antibiotics helps clear the infection before treatment begins.

When you arrive at Bonham Sunshine Dental and Implant Center for your root canal, you will immediately be made comfortable. Our gentle dentist will ensure you receive a local anesthetic to numb the tooth and the area surrounding it. Treatment will begin once you have confirmed with the dentist that you are completely numb.

The dentist will use a dental engine and instruments to remove enough tooth structure to access the tooth’s pulp. The diseased pulp will be removed completely, and the tooth roots will be shaped, cleaned, and then filled with a permanent inert material.

The root canal’s final stage involves filling the tooth’s large opening, which the dentist creates to access the pulp. In some cases, the opening can be filled with a strong material similar to the type used for fillings. In other cases, a crown, commonly known as a cap, may be needed to support the tooth.

Restoring your tooth will usually be completed in a secondary appointment after your root canal is finished. A temporary restoration may be placed in the tooth until the permanent restoration is completed.

It is common for a tooth to become weakened when the pulp is removed as nutrients are no longer being supplied to it. As a result, the tooth is more susceptible to fracture if not supported with a proper restoration. A crown is a great choice to protect your endodontically treated tooth, but your dentist will help determine the best solution to restore it to its original function.

Postoperative Care for Your Root-Canaled Tooth

Most patients will feel numb for a few hours after the procedure. While numb, care should be taken to avoid eating on the side of the mouth treated to prevent injury to soft tissues. Additionally, it is recommended to eat a soft diet for a couple of days.

  • To prevent damage to the treated tooth, avoid chewing on it until the permanent restoration is placed. If a temporary restoration is placed, avoid eating anything sticky or chewy.
  • Be sure to take any medications prescribed by your dentist. These may include antibiotics to clear up residual infection and over-the-counter analgesics for pain, such as Advil or Tylenol.

  • Once the local anesthesia has worn off, it is normal for the tooth to feel different from how it used to. The tooth’s nerve has been removed with the pulp, so the tooth should have no sensation or sensitivity. However, there can be some initial tenderness around the area worked on. If this discomfort becomes intolerable, call the office immediately for an appointment.

  • Attend your follow-up appointments. During these appointments, the dentist will evaluate the tooth’s healing process and place your permanent restoration.

  • Continue your oral hygiene regimen, including brushing and flossing your teeth as usual. Initially, it is wise to be gentle around the root canal area and use care when flossing.

  • If you have a temporary restoration or filling, use care to ensure it remains in place. Call the office immediately if you notice the temporary restoration has fallen out. Our dentist will have it replaced until you receive your permanent restoration.

Conclusion:

Your diagnosis may have come as a surprise to you, but the care you will receive during your root canal treatment at Bonham Sunshine Dental and Implant Center shouldn’t. Our caring, gentle dentist is here to put your concerns about root canal treatment to rest. If you have any questions, please call our office at Bonham Sunshine Dental and Implant Center for answers!

Resources:

Bartols A, Bormann C, Werner L, Schienle M, Walther W, Dörfer CE. 2020. A retrospective assessment of different endodontic treatment protocols. PeerJ8:e8495 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.8495

Iqbal, A., Akbar, I., Qureshi, B., Sghaireen, M. G., & AL-Omiri, M. K. (2014). A Survey of Standard Protocols for Endodontic Treatment in North of KSA. International Scholarly Research Notices, 2014(1), 865780. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/865780

Zanjir, M., Sgro, A., Lighvan, N. L., Yarascavitch, C., Shah, P. S., Da Costa, B. R., & Azarpazhooh, A. (2020). Efficacy and Safety of Postoperative Medications in Reducing Pain after Nonsurgical Endodontic Treatment: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. Journal of Endodontics, 46(10), 1387-1402.e4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joen.2020.07.002

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