Decaying teeth do not ever stop decaying without treatment. A root canal treatment becomes necessary to save the tooth, especially as an infected tooth can lead to significant pain. Treatment is painless. The only discomfort you will feel is at the end after the dentist finishes the treatment.
From local anesthesia to dental dams, it is helpful to know what to expect. A root canal treatment is not too difficult to understand. It also does not take that long to complete. Read through this part of the guide to understand the procedure.
The first step is local anesthesia. It is applied before treatment begins. Successful treatment means the mouth is completely numb. A dentist will not start until the patient cannot feel a thing.
A dental dam is a sheet of vinyl or rubber that isolates the affected tooth. All surrounding teeth are blocked. Doing this creates a sterile environment for the dentist to work. Dental dams also prevent the spread of other bacteria in the mouth.
Drilling sounds scary, but it is not as bad as one might think. The dentist decides where to drill a small hole into the tooth. This hole gives the dentist access to the inside of the tooth. It is painless, thanks to the applied numbing agent.
Inside the tooth, the dentist will find infected or inflamed tissue. The dentist uses special dental tools to remove the tissues inside. Once the root and pulp are removed, the site will lose feeling, and the tooth will no longer hurt. The area is then disinfected and shaped to prepare for the filling and sealant.
After all the debris is clear, it is time to fill the canal and apply a sealant. The filling is made of a rubbery material called gutta-percha. Once the filling is applied, it is set permanently by using a cement sealer. The sealant protects the tooth and prevents any other bacteria from entering to avoid future infection.
Once the tooth has been filled and sealed, the procedure is over. The dentist removes the dental dam, and the patient is instructed regarding aftercare. If the filling is temporary, an additional appointment is necessary for the permanent filling. Antibiotics are prescribed to prevent infection following the root canal treatment.
Once the course of antibiotics is complete, the last step is making a follow-up appointment. The dentist needs to make sure the discomfort is gone. If a crown is required, this is when it will be put in place. The goal is to provide long-lasting, permanent results to prevent future infection.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Root Canal Treatment in Turlock, CA
Once you are home and the anesthesia wears off, you might feel some minor discomfort. All you need are over-the-counter pain relievers. It should not last more than a couple of days. If the pain does not go away and is persistent, contact your dentist as soon as possible because there may be something wrong.
Request an appointment or call King Dentistry at 209-585-1474 for an appointment in our Turlock office.
A root canal is a procedure that can save severely damaged or decayed teeth, prevent infection, and treat active infections. The process involves removing the pulp in the tooth’s pulp chamber and disinfecting the area. It often takes less than an hour from start to finish.The pulp chamber of a tooth is the central chamber…
A person may need a root canal to clean out the inside of their tooth and remove infection. However, not all infections present symptoms, and if they do, different people may experience them differently. For this reason, understanding whether you need a root canal can become tricky.While no two people are entirely alike, most will…
Root canal treatment is a common dental procedure performed to save a damaged, decayed, or infected tooth from becoming lost or causing more concerning symptoms. It is important to understand the causes and warning signs that indicate a possible need for a root canal.The most notable and common causes for root canal treatment are an…
Having a solid handle on good oral hygiene basics will help preserve the integrity of your teeth and mouth health for a long time to come. Steering clear of cavities, receding gums, or decay ensures that your smile is bright and beautiful for as long as possible. If you think you already have an excellent…
The oral hygiene basics recommended by dentists are essential for healthy teeth and gums. They include brushing and flossing, which should be done twice and once a day, respectively. However, not everyone adheres to this guidance. Is it that bad if you skip these practices.As it turns out, failing to observe oral hygiene basics can…