Dental infection involving the pulp can be traumatizing due to severe pain and discomfort. It may negatively impact your routine activities and compromise your quality of life. But, thankfully, root canal procedures can ease painful symptoms and provide you relief.
Root canal therapy, provided by our highly experienced dentist in Kensington, CA, is an excellent alternative to extractions since it eliminates infection and restores the tooth structure.
An introduction to root canal therapy
Root canal therapy (RCT) is an advanced procedure that involves the elimination of infection involving the pulp that leads to painful symptoms. Pulp is the innermost part of your tooth that consists of nerves and blood vessels and provides nutrition to the tooth. Any infection that has spread to the pulp cannot be restored through regular dental fillings and thus may require extensive procedures like RCT.
Indications for root canal therapy
Root canal therapy is often recommended if the infection spreads to the pulp, causing painful symptoms.
Root canal therapy is indicated if you experience the following symptoms:
- Lingering tooth pain that does not go away easily
- Extreme sensitivity to heat and cold
- Swollen and inflamed gums
- Pimple on the gums (abscess)
- Visibly swollen jaw
- Tooth discoloration (appear bluish in color)
- Pain when pressure is applied (while biting or chewing)
- A chipped or cracked tooth
- Loose tooth
Root canal therapy procedure explained
Pain relief and prevention of infection is the main focus of root canal therapy. Currently, most root canal therapies are performed in a single visit.
Tooth evaluation
- Your dentist will carefully examine your oral cavity and assess the extent of tooth damage
- Dental X-rays are taken to help determine the root morphology and the exact condition of your affected tooth to determine further course of action
Infection removal and treatment
- Once the tooth is evaluated, special rotary instruments help remove the infected tissue from the tooth
- The roots are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected
- The root canals are sealed with suitable filling materials, such as gutta-percha, to minimize the chance of further complications
Restoration and tooth preservation
- After about a week or so, the RC-treated tooth will be prepared, and oral impressions will be recorded to fabricate a suitable crown
- You can opt for either metal, ceramic, or porcelain crown according to your preference
Severe tooth pain and persistent discomfort can be distressing. Thankfully, root canal therapy can help treat your infected teeth to ease painful symptoms. This will help you bounce back to your normal life quickly.
