Root Canal Treatment

A root canal is a treatment recommended when bacteria invades the pulp of your tooth and causes irritation and / or infection. Left untreated, the infected pulp can abscess and cause you to experience the following:

• Swollen gum tissue around the tooth
• Pain when biting and chewing
• Senstivity to hot and cold food and beverages

The prosect of root canal work alarms a lot of people, who anticipate a painful procedure. There’s actually nothing to be worried about: modern endodontic techniques make it easy to clear up infected roots without causing pain or even undue discomfort. Your dentist will explain the procedure during your pre-treatment consultation and give you a treatment plan to take home and read.

What is the root canal treatment procedure

Root canal treatments are typically accomplished in two visits. During the first appointment, your dentist will numb the affected area using a local anaesthetic. Then the tooth’s top portion will be removed so that all the infected material can be cleared out. Medication may also be placed in the empty canal to prevent re-infection before your dentist seals the tooth with a temporary filling.

During the second and final visit, the temporary filling is removed and replaced with a permanent one. Then the tooth is sealed to prevent additional weakening. Depending on the tooth’s condition, you may be advised to have a crown placed over it for added protection.

Once the procedure is complete and the treatment area heals, be sure to brush and floss regularly, limit your intake of sugary foods, and visit your dentist regularly. These preventive measures keep you in a state of good oral health and eliminate the need for additional root canal work.