What is a Root Canal?
When you have a toothache or an injury that has cracked your tooth, the pulp of the tooth may be in danger. Infection of pulp can lead to severe tooth pain. If not treated in time, the infection can spread to the root and to the supporting structure of the tooth. A Root canal is a procedure performed to remove the infected pulp and save the tooth. The treatment can prevent the tooth from falling out. After the treatment, dental restoration materials are used to protect the tooth. It is one of the procedures we perform at our fully-equipped office in Hamden, CT. Our comprehensive dental treatment ensures that patients are protected from all types of dental problems. Our quality dental care and our dedication have enabled us to build trust among families of Cheshire, Wallingford and Hamden city.
When is a root canal performed?
Pulp, the heart of every natural tooth, is made of nerves and blood vessels. The soft pulp is responsible for the healthy growth of the tooth. Once the permanent tooth is fully-grown, it can survive without a pulp.
Root canal – Evaluation and treatment
The first and foremost phase of a root canal is a dental examination. Dr. Kaplan firstly makes note of the symptoms of the problem. Swelling, pain and discoloration of the tooth may indicate an infection of pulp. Our dentist notes other visual indicators and takes the help of X-rays to find the status of the tooth and the pulp. Once we confirm that a root canal is required, we explain the treatment process to the patient.
The tooth is numbed with the help of local anesthesia. A rubber dam is used to isolate the tooth from the surrounding teeth. An opening is made in the tooth using dental instruments. The infected pulp is removed and the pulp chamber is cleaned. A dental file may be used for this purpose. An anti-bacterial agent helps clear the bacteria from the chamber. The root of the tooth is sealed and filling materials are used to provide it physical strength. A dental crown is finally fixed over the tooth.
Why do I need root canal treatment?
A root canal treatment is required mainly for two reasons:
- To remove infected pulp
- To save the tooth
Tooth pulp can get damaged due to any accident or decay. If tooth pulp becomes infected due to decay or injury, it needs to be removed at the earliest to save the tooth and it also helps in spreading of infection to the neighbor tooth too.
Is there any alternative for Root Canal Treatment?
There are alternatives other than Root Canal Treatments is by extracting the tooth, filling the gap, dental implant, dental bridge, partial dentures or etc. But it is highly recommended and better to save the natural tooth compared to replacement.
In the case of severe tooth decay, it is recommended to extract the tooth from the dental arch to prevent from spreading tooth decay. After tooth extraction, the candidate can have treatment for missing tooth restoration and improve the smile.
To more about the root canal treatment and schedule for an immediate appointment, call our Cosmetic dentist/ Root canal specialist Dr. Ross A Kaplan at Hamden, Cheshire and Wallingford CT.
Is root canal treatment hurts?
While performing root canal treatment, a local anesthesia will be given to numb the area, so that the patient shouldn’t feel the pain. Root canal treatment is a 4 – 5 days procedure (not continuous) depends upon the depth of the tooth injury and the patient health condition. Root canal treatment doesn’t hurt but leaving the damaged tooth hurt does and you may lose the teeth too.
Can you avoid root canal treatment?
No, it shouldn’t be avoided. Root canal treatment to clean the inner part of the tooth to remove the dead cell or nerves which are decayed due to bacterial deposition. If the tooth left untreated, then it will start affecting the neighboring tooth by spreading the infection. By root canal treatment, the tooth will be cleaned completely and all the infected pulp or nerve will be removed.
Can you eat after root canal treatment?
You are not supposed to eat/chew any hard or solid food on the day of getting root canal treatment. After the root canal treatment, a crown will be placed over the treated tooth and it takes a time to get settled down. If the pain persists, then kindly contact your endodontist, Dr. Kaplan at the earliest.
What are the common benefits of root canal treatment?
There are a number of significant benefits of root canal treatment, some of them are:
- Reduce the chances of a toothache
- It is relatively simple procedure
- Takes a quite bit of time but very effective solution compared to tooth extraction
- It helps to remove cavity from root of tooth
- Improves teeth appearance and restores smile
- Improves your oral and overall health
- Spread of infection is prevented
- Restores biting force and efficient chewing
- Protects the teeth from excessive wear and tear around it
Root canal treatment is an effective solution to remove the infected area of the tooth without the need for extraction.
If you have any questions about our services, please contact us today at (203) 281-3700.