About Root Canal
Many of us have to go through a root canal treatment, but due to the lack of awareness about it, we are always apprehensive about it. One needs to know some basic information like how long does a root canal take, is it painful?
Here, we will share all the essential info about root canals that everyone should know before they make the final to get it done. By understanding the basic procedure and the do’s and don’ts, you can quickly get the surgery done without any hindrance.
Why is it required?
Despite being one of the most common treatments in the world, not many people know much about it. A root canal treatment is a dental procedure.
There can be several reasons behind an irritating dental root. Sometimes even an injury or an accident may also cause damage to the core. However, one of the most common and basic reasons for this is tooth decay due to lack of dental care. People who don’t exercise or adhere to a daily dental hygiene routine can end up with severe inflammation in their dental roots if they fail to keep up with their daily oral hygiene. Then the chances are that they might have to go through a root canal treatment in the future. The general high inflammation dental root symptoms are a sharp pain in or swelling in the gum area.
What is the Process?
Before we dig into the details of a root canal, let us check out the procedure.
- The first and foremost point in the treatment of root canals is to get a proper diagnosis. If you are having any troubles with swollen gums or dental pain, then visit the dentist. Only a dentist can look and judge the best treatment for you. There can be various reasons behind your pain and swelling or general discomfort. Only after proper diagnosis, the dentist will assign you to get a root canal treatment.
- Then your dentist who is going to perform the root canal will appoint you with the date and time. There might be a few precautions that the dentist might suggest to you as well.
- Once it is all set, you are good to start up with your root canal treatment.
The Treatment
Not a lot of people have much info on the step by step procedure of root canal treatment. Let us discuss the various stages and understand their importance in brief.
Numb
Here, before the root canal procedure begins, the dentist will ensure that the gums and the teeth region are numb. For this, they will use a local anaesthetic which can be an injection or some gas that may give out the same effect. This will help and assist you to sail through the root canal without any discomfort. The dentist carefully administers the anaesthesia before the dentist begins the root canal procedure. If the anesthesia is given with the help of an injection. Then you might feel a slight discomfort at the very beginning. However, once the injection is given into the gum region, you will feel comfortable just after a few minutes.
Brief Cleaning
Before the dentist starts up with the root canal treatment, they will ensure that the gum region and the teeth are well cleaned. This will help the dentist to perform the root canal treatment without any issues. Moreover, the initial cleaning will also prevent any infections that might prop up in the later stages.
Making a hole
Now the next step in the root canal treatment is to make incisions in the affected teeth. As the procedure of root canal treatment is to take out the infected or damaged inner pulp of the teeth. It is essential to make a small hole in the teeth first, which will help the dentist to reach the roots. This is done with extreme care and precision. As even a little inch of difference in making a hole can do a lot of damage. So, the trained dentist will mark the teeth first and start to drill up the teeth only after the effect of anaesthesia has taken place.
Extraction
Now comes the crucial part of the root canal treatment. Here, the dentist will take out the inner pulp from the roots of your teeth. This pulp is the reason for the pain and discomfort. The bad pulp causes a rise in inflammation around the area. If you don’t opt for the root canal treatment, the roots and gum area can quickly become prone to infections. Moreover, the delay in root canal treatment can also cause a lot of discomfort and pain. The extraction of the pulp is done with the help of sleek suction tubes. These tubes enter into the teeth holes.
Medication
As the open hole after extracting the pulp can’t be left open, now the dentist will apply anti-fungal ointments here. This is a crucial step in root canal treatment. If this is done wrong, it can cause many complex issues and infections in the long run. With the disinfectant, the teeth opening is safe from all sorts of issues. After the medication, the dentist will proceed further by applying a medical teeth cap. As the hole can’t be left open, the medical teeth cap helps to cover it. However, the dentist will first fill it out if a heavy pulp is taken out from the teeth. Let us know more about the root canal hole filling below.
Covering
After applying for the anti-infection medicines in the hole, it is time to cap it up. The dentists use a medical rubber cap and place it on top of the hole. It is shut with the help of a medical adhesive which the dentists use. The cap is first given the shape of the hole to make it an exact fit. After this, it is placed and sealed on top of the canal hole.
The Aftermath
Well, the recovery of your root canal treatment is just as important as the procedure. Now, once the treatment is over, you have to take extra care of your dental hygiene. Moreover, because of the irritation in the area, there may be several medicines that you’ll need to take as well. It is better that you share your oral hygiene routine and eating habits with your dentist. Also, you’ll have to follow up on some of the precautions in the diet that the dentist will prescribe to you.
How long does the root canal take?
Well, majorly the duration of this dental procedure depends on individual cases. If there is only one tooth that needs treatment, then it can take around 40 minutes. However, if there is a lot of damaged pulp in several teeth, it can even take more than an hour or several sittings. So, what decides the duration of this treatment depends on your personal case. It is best to listen up to the dentist’s advice before making the final call. If the nature of your tooth issues is severe. Then it is best that you go for treatment as soon as possible. However, if you have a mildly damaged inner pulp, then you can appoint a suitable time. However, if the pulp reflects some damage, then don’t ignore this treatment.
Things to keep in Mind!
Not the End
The canal treatment is not the end to the problem. It is just a short way to avoid further damage and give out relief. Keep in close touch with your dentist even after the treatment. There can be other nearby teeth that may get some infection as well. Moreover, the medical rubber cap and the filling may also need some touches from time to time.
Several Symptoms
There can be several symptoms that can cause a severe toothache or discomfort. It is better to visit or consult the dentist as soon as you start feeling them. As the teeth and gum area is highly sensitive, you can have to reach a professional to get a proper and precise diagnosis as soon as possible. If you have a presenting problem in your gums or teeth, then it can mean several things. Several dental infections share almost the same symptoms. So, if you are going through some signs, then don’t panic and simply visit a dentist.
Good Aftercare
One of the best and easy things that you can do to avoid any further issues is to maintain a strict and regular oral hygiene routine. Moreover, also keep sharing your diet and eating habits with the dentists as well. For example, if you usually eat a dessert and then go to bed without brushing, then the dentist will ask you to brush every day before bed. These small things and tips can save you from a lot of pain.
Conclusion
Now you know the brief details and steps of the root canal treatment. Many people fear it and associate the procedure with excruciating pain, but that is false. It is a simple dental procedure that can save you from a lot of misery.