urbn dental logo
HOUSTON DENTIST

CALL UPTOWN

CALL MIDTOWN

CALL MONTROSE

Book Online

URBN Dental Uptown

(346) 570-0826

URBN Dental Midtown

(346) 955-7006

URBN Dental Montrose

(281) 717-6893

URBN Dental CityCentre

(281) 688-5525

URBN Dental Katy

(832) 990-9916
  1. You are here»
  2. Home»
  3. A Complete Guide To A Root Canal Treatment»

A Complete Guide To A Root Canal Treatment

A root canal procedure will be carried out when the dentist knows that they have to act quickly in order to save a tooth. Normally, the issue will be infection and tooth decay and unless you are quick to make an appointment this can become serious very quickly.

BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT

What is a Root Canal?

A root canal procedure will be carried out when the dentist knows that they have to act quickly in order to save a tooth. Normally, the issue will be dental infection and tooth decay and unless you are quick to make an appointment this can become serious very quickly. The rotten pulp and decaying nerve will both have to be removed. If they are left as they are, there is every risk that you will end up with an abscess. It is important that all of the pulp is removed as this is where the worst of the dental infection could settle.

Once the root has been removed, there is no need to worry about the viability of the tooth. It will remain in place, although there will be less chance that it will be able to tell the difference between hot and cold. The tooth will still work perfectly well without the nerve, it just needs a build up and a dental crown to prevent fracture. If the tooth is removed instead of saving the tooth with the root canal therapy then there is the risk that there could be bone loss. Once there is bone loss there is low risk of getting it back and if a future dental implant in needed possible further surgery may be needed to augment the bone area.

Table of contents

What is a root canal?
Why do we need a dental root canal?
Who is affected by dental root canals?
How do you treat a broken tooth or a tooth with a large cavity?
What are the symptoms of a tooth that may need a root canal?

BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT

Why do we need a Dental Root Canal?

 A root canal treatment is also known as endodontic treatment and will be needed once the pulp has become infected or there is a dental infection around the tooth in the form of a dental abscess. The dental infection usually starts with a large cavity, just that it will need to be removed. There are a number of risks surrounding leaving the pulp in place. Damage can be caused to both the teeth and gums when the infection is left to spread. In some ways the biggest risk will be to the gums as they are harder to deal with.

If worst comes to the worst with the tooth it can be replaced by a bridge, dental implant, or possibly a removable appliance. The spread of infection can be problematic in many ways. Not only is there discomfort when a large dental infection occurs, but soon an offensive odor can occur leading to severe bad breath due to the bacteria.

BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT

Who is Affected by Dental Root Canals?

In reality anyone can be a sufferer of a large dental infection and is recommended for a root canal. The need for a dental root canal can be for a variety of reasons. One will be poor hygiene and lack of adequate teeth cleaning. Once this has become a habit it is easy for bacteria to take over the tooth and soon there will be an infection in the form of a cavity and can lead to dental pain.

There are also times when an infection takes hold and there is nothing that the patient can do about it. Normally, this will be because there has been damage inflicted on a tooth and this has led to bacteria gaining access. It could be because there has been trauma to the tooth by way of a blow, quite often a sporting injury. Even the slightest crack in a tooth can be the gateway that allows the bacteria in.

How do you Treat a Broken tooth or a Tooth with a Large Cavity?

The dentist will need a dental x-ray for the tooth and will use this as a guide to carrying out the needed work. They will need to protect the tooth from saliva as the last thing they want to do is to let bacteria in while they are carrying out a procedure with a protective rubber dam shield to keep you comfortable and the tooth safe. A small opening will be made to of the tooth and the pulp will be taken out, leaving a clean void where the filling can be placed.

The dental root canal filling will be put into the hole – the majority of dentists will use gutta-percha for this part as it will be substantial enough to stand up to the day to day use it will get. As it will be missed with dental cement, it will not take long for the filling to harden and become as one with the tooth.

This will not be the end of the issue, however, as the tooth cannot be left as it is.  There will need to be a permanent cover put on it and this will usually be a dental crown. There will have to be a gap left between procedures to allow the tooth to settle down but once that has been done, the tooth should be as strong as it was before treatment. It will be possible to eat in exactly the same way as you did before the treatment began.

BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT

What are the Symptoms of a Tooth that may need a Root Canal?

As with many cases of infection with the tooth, there is likely to be an element of pain the longer the infection is there. It will take time to build up and this is part of the problem. As it takes so long for the infection to become an issue, it will have taken hold before you know about it.

One of the worst outcomes will be a dental abscess as this will require additional treatment. There will be a lot of pain and you will become aware of this when you are eating. Any pressure at all put on the tooth will be painful and it will get to the stage where you try to use other parts of the mouth when you need to bite or chew. There will be sensitivity when it comes to eating and drinking hot and cold items and if this happens for a day or two, it is clear that there must be treatment carried out.

The swelling will also be a give-away that there is something not right with the tooth. This tends to appear due to the pus that will gather around the tooth especially at the base of it where it meets with the gums. The gums will be affected and a lot of the infection will be in the gums; so, they can be permanently damaged as a result of the decay. As previously mentioned, bacteria can have an awful smell and you will want this to be stopped as soon as possible before larger problems can occur such as loss of ability to swallow, close one’s mouth, or eat properly.

URBN Dental For Your Root Canal Treatment

Visit us today at URBN Dental as a walk in patient or call us at 832-743-2989 for an appointment at a time of your choosing! Here is to permanent smiles and stronger teeth for all!

BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT
t

Root Canal Treatment FAQs

 

 

Should I go to a dentist or an endodontist for a root canal?
Root canals are usually to be performed by dentists as they are experienced in the field. An endodontist is also a dentist, but the only difference between him and a dentist is that they have completed additional training after dental school. The additional training makes them more experienced in diagnosing toothache and carrying out the root canal treatment and also other internal procedures of the tooth. They have gone through additional years in the endodontics program making them specialists. They focus on the treatments related to the dental pulp. They are considered experts in numbing the tooth during treatment for people who face problems getting or staying numb. Endodontists have special materials and equipment for treatments to make it more comfortable for the patient. If you plan on getting a root canal done, then both options are fine but if you want quality treatment done then go to an endodontist.
Is canal root treatment necessary?
If you are experiencing severe pain or sensitivity from hot or cold and pressure from biting or chewing then there is a possibility that you have an infection in the teeth. If you are wondering how the infection formed, then it is because you might have a cavity or crack in the tooth from which the bacteria from the food on your teeth gained access into the tooth causing the pulp to be infected. There are three possible ways to treat this that is by the use of antibiotics, extraction or a root canal. If the antibiotics aren’t effective, then you might need to get the tooth extracted; however, if you want to save the tooth that is when root canal treatment is necessary. This treatment helps in removing the bacteria from the tooth by removing the pulp. This makes to tooth dead so that no future infections or pain occurs. The tooth is then saved by covering the opening with a crown on top.
Can a root canal treatment be covered under insurance?
Dental advantages are useful. What numerous patients don’t understand is that dental insurance does not regularly give as much coverage as medical insurance. However, insurance plans may take care of the full expense of your root canal treatment. Many factors affect the overall cost of root canal treatment. These factors include the location of the dental office where you are getting the treatment from, the experience of the dentist also greatly influences the cost of the treatment, the complexity of the condition, the size of the tooth also matters depending on how many canals are there in the tooth and lastly whether the tooth has previously had root canal done before. However, the average cost of the root canal can range from $585 to $1150 for incisors, $670 to $1250 for premolars and $820 to $1600 for molars. So it’s better to ask your dentist the actual cost of your treatment and then see if it can be covered by insurance.
What are possible side effects of a root canal?
A root canal treatment involves a procedure to save the tooth which has been damaged due to tooth decay or has an infection. During this treatment, the nerve and pulp are removed from the tooth which makes it dead. Later on, the tooth is cleaned and sealed with a crown or filling. If not done so then the infection will cause an abscess to form at either side of the tooth. There can be some side effects to this treatment such as post root canal pain or swelling around the tooth can occur. It can also cause clenching and grinding of the teeth which can result in enamel removal. There are also chances that can get the tooth fractured. Gas pressure can also build up. These complications don’t happen in most patients.
Do I really need root canal treatment?
You would need a root canal treatment if your tooth has decayed beyond help and the damage done by the cavity cannot be helped with a simple filling. The decay spreads deep into the tooth, causing people to feel spiking pain throughout. The purpose of the root canal is to remove the damaged pulp from the tooth so that the condition does not aggravate. Dentists use dental files to extract the pulp and place a restorative material in. It helps to prevent complete tooth loss. You would need a root canal if the tooth hurts and you do not want to get the tooth extracted. The procedure itself is not excruciating because the dentists make use of anesthetics.
Which root canal treatment is easier, incisor or molars?
Root canal treatment of incisors is easier than the treatment of molars. This is because incisors have one root whereas molars can have up to four roots. Incisors are at the front and easier to reach in the mouth. Molars can be difficult to reach, especially if a person has a small mouth. Incisors usually do not have transversal canals, and their roots are generally straighter. Molars can have a network of canals apart from the normal central canal roots. They are usually at different angles which makes it even harder for the dentist to operate on them. Perhaps this is the reason why they are more eager to perform the procedure on incisors instead of molars.
On the scale of 1-10, how painful is a root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment can be sufficiently painful enough to make people giving it an 8 or a 7 out of 10. This is why dentists use anesthetics and sedation. Anesthetics are more commonly used to numb the target area to ensure that the patient does not undergo excruciating pain. Root canals are generally painful because the decayed pulp is extracted using long and thin files. After the infected pulp is removed, dentists replace it with a filling. This helps to ensure that the damage does not spread any further and result in tooth loss. The condition can become aggravated if people ignore the decay for fear of the root canal treatment.
Why is a root canal so painful?
A root canal can be painful for a few obvious reasons. Firstly, the toothache results from the decay that spreads deep to the pulp; The pulp of the tooth is filled with nerves. In order to remove the pulp, the dentists make use of long dental files to extract out the decayed part of the inside of the tooth. The cavity on the tooth structure is drilled or removed with dental equipment. Because of the pain, dentists make use of anesthetics that help to reduce patient discomfort. The tooth no longer remains vital at the end of the procedure. Dentists also prescribe painkillers to help ease the pain that is caused after the numbness wears off. At present times, people complain more about the pain felt after the treatment rather than the pain felt during it.
Why do root canals hurt so much?
Root canal treatment would hurt because the dentist has to use dental files in order to extract the decayed pulp. The pulp of the tooth already has nerves endings which results in more discomfort. This is why the present root canal treatment is not as excruciating as before. Dentists now make use of anesthetics to ensure that the target area is numb and that the person does not feel that amount of pain. At present, people complain more about the pain after the treatment is over as the numbness wears off. This is why dentists prescribe painkillers to help ease their discomfort. A root canal can render the tooth non-vital, but it prevents further complications by stopping the spread of dental decay. Otherwise, the cavities might spread to the teeth around the infected area and lead to absolute tooth loss.
What is root canal therapy?
A root canal therapy is a procedure, which is needed when the damage of decay is beyond reversible. It becomes necessary when the decay has spread so much in the vital tooth that the dentists need to remove the nerves from it potentially. It starts with the dentist injecting local anesthesia and removing the structure of the tooth that is affected by cavities. Another alternative is to sedate the patient during this process. Then they use needles to extract the pulp from the tooth. It is no longer vital at this point.

After cleaning the target space, the dentist fills that area with a restoration. They typically use composite fillings, but the choice usually depends on the patient too. They leave in the temporary filling in for a few days after which another appointment is made to place a more permanent filling into the treated tooth.

What does it feel like to get a root canal?
Dentists these days practice sedated dentistry, but if there are chances of having a more complex root canal, then dentists make use of anesthetics. If the patient is conscious, then they feel the slight prodding against their gums and teeth. It is followed by further scrapping. They can even hear the sounds of the dental equipment removing the decayed structure.

They can feel the pressure and length of the needle when it is used to extract the pulp from the tooth as well. The procedure is repeated until the pulp is completely removed. The patients can also feel the water when the dentist has to wash through the treated tooth. The whole procedure is not painful if proper anesthesia is used.

What is the difference between root canal and teeth filling?
In simple teeth filling, the infected tooth enamel is drilled out and removed before a restoration/filling is placed to repair the structure of a tooth. On the other hand, root canal therapy deals with the infected pulp. In this case, the decay grows in the pulp part of the tooth and results in severe toothache. This is a more complex procedure than a simple filling.

A normal tooth filling concentrates on the enamel and bone of the tooth whereas a dental file is used to reach and extract the decayed pulp under the enamel. The costs of both procedures differ as well. Root canal treatments can become painful. Unlike simple teeth fillings, they may need anesthesia to handle severe toothaches during the procedure.

What happens during a root canal?
During a root canal, a dentist may have two options that you will need to settle before the procedure. You will either be given anesthesia or sedated for the root canal. The area is prepared, and the dentist takes an X-ray of the infected tooth to see how deep the cavity is. After that, the tooth is scrapped, and the decayed part is removed. Dentist use needles of various lengths and thicknesses to extract the pulp that contains nerves.

If conscious then you can feel the needles scrap against the structure of the tooth. Then another X-ray is taken to see whether the pulp has been completely removed from the tooth. The dentist may need to extract if the tooth is still vital. Generally, the patients do not feel any pain during the procedure.

After that, the dentists place the filling in the space. A temporary filling is placed for a few days before a more permanent filling in place in the treated tooth.

What are the disadvantages of a root canal?
The treated tooth is no longer vital after a root canal. It becomes weaker and more susceptible to fracturing. Discoloration also occurs.
What should a person know about getting a root canal?
A root canal can be uncomfortable at first because the dentist has to reach into the decayed pulp to remove it. Anesthetics can prevent a painful experience, but one can still feel the nudge and hear the scrapping of the equipment in the mouth.
What causes a bad smell after a root canal?
It can be the smell of the bacteria that was causing the inflammation mixed with the odor of chlorine that was used to clean the mouth.
What are the charges for tooth RCT?
Charges for root canal vary from state to state; however, the original price depends on the placement of the treated tooth in the mouth as well. This is why it is better if you consult your local dentists because the costs vary amongst clinics as well.
How painful is a root canal treatment?
Root canals are not generally painful because dentists prefer to either make use of anesthetics or sedatives. The choice depends on the nature of the decay and the patient as well. However, most of the pain from the root canal is felt after the numbness wears off. This is why dentists prescribe pain medication to handle the discomfort afterward.

In case you feel excessive pain during the treatment, you should inform your dentist at once because this could mean that the anesthetics were not effective. A root canal can be an effective procedure to steer clear of complete tooth loss and save the actual structure of the effected tooth.

How safe is root canal?
Root canals are generally safe if the dentist has a considerable amount of experience in performing the procedure. The treatment itself is supposed to save the structure of the tooth while eliminating chances of the infection developing further into the pulp of the tooth. This is why it is important that the treatment is done properly. Otherwise, it leads to a condition called abscess.
How successful are Root Canals Treatment?
Root canal procedures are generally successful in the US due to new techniques for treatments. Laser root canal has made the procedure more painless and effective. However, the success of the procedure also depends a lot upon the experience of the dentist. This is why it is important to be careful when choosing the right dentist.
What is root canal (endodontics)?
A root canal treatment is a procedure in which the dentist removes the pulp from a decayed tooth. The tooth is no longer vital at the end of the procedure. This treatment is needed when the damage caused by cavities is beyond repair, and the decay has spread deep into the tooth to cause pain and discomfort to the affected individual. A root canal is generally a painless procedure, but many people feel some pain and discomfort after the procedure is done. This usually happens when the painkillers wear off.

The pulp inside the tooth is effectively removed to stop the spread of decay and the pain caused by it. After that, the dentist places a restorative material in the tooth to repair the structure of the tooth for the patient.

How painful is an unfinished root canal job?
They can become very painful because the residual infection and decay can grow worse. This results in more toothache and makes eating or chewing extremely difficult. The remaining pulp can cause more damage than before, and the patient has to suffer from spiking pain afterward.
A Complete Guide To A Root Canal Treatment ultima modifica: 2019-10-10T06:04:02-06:00 da Houston Dentist
Accessibility by WAH