Ignoring dental problems for a long time can lead to serious conditions that might cause even more excruciating pain. Symptoms like swelling of gums, sensitivity in a tooth, sudden and fluctuating pain, visible discoloration, and cavity in a tooth can be a sign to visit a dentist. Root canal can solve all the above symptoms and help you preserve your smile without undergoing harsh treatments like extractions and implants.

What is root canal therapy?

A root canal is considered a common restorative treatment, usually done to avoid major treatments for a damaged tooth. A root canal cleans the narrow passages in the third layer of your teeth – pulp.

Root canal therapy aims to preserve your natural teeth. A primitive root canal in can treat any decay, damage, or tooth abscesses. A dental specialist usually performs root canal therapy. While it is still possible for a general dentist to perform a root canal at the early stages of decay and infection, an endodontist can easily handle severe teeth damage. They are trained professionals who diagnose pain and thoroughly study the pulp area.

When do you need root canal therapy?

Understanding when you need to go for root canal therapy is crucial. All types of dental pain don’t need to go through the process of root canal therapy. When there is evident damage to the teeth and the nerves of teeth, you might consider a root canal in Whitby.

If the damage is severe and spreads, you might have to get your tooth extracted. Many factors can damage the teeth, including bad oral habits, repetitive dental treatments, pressure on teeth due to misalignment, etc. Any damage needs to be addressed in time to prevent further damage.

Process of root canal in Whitby

With oral sedation and advanced treatment options, root canal therapy becomes easy without the patient suffering from pain and anxiety. To start the process, an endodontist will first inject anesthesia to numb the root canal area. This makes the process pain-free and faster for the dentist to perform.

Once the area is numb, your dentist will trim your tooth to get direct access to the pulp. Then, using dental files, the dentist will clean the canals and remove infected tissues and damaged nerves from the site. Once the cleaning is done, the dentist will fill the open space in pulp using biocompatible material – gutta-percha. This prevents bacteria from entering the canal and stops any further chance of infection.

Once done and healed, sometimes there can be a need for a crown to be placed on the tooth to match the alignment of other teeth. Root canal therapy usually takes 3 to 4 settings to complete.

Aftercare and recovery from root canal therapy

After therapy, you must avoid eating hard, chewy, hot, and too cold food. Proper brushing, flossing, and gargling using mouthwash are vital to prevent infections and speed the healing process. Ensure to avoid pressure on the tooth where the root canal is performed.

Until the healing process, your dentist will place a temporary filling. Once done, a permanent crown or bridge is placed on the teeth for support. Make sure to visit your dentist if there is sharp and shooting pain after the treatment or visible swelling that doesn’t go after a few days of therapy.

While a root canal can sound like a prolonged treatment, it is a safer solution to preserve your smile and relieve pain from the damaged tooth. Dentistry On Taunton provides root canal in Whitby, which helps restore your tooth functions and improve your overall dental health. For a comfortable and painless dental experience, visit today.