Root Canal Treatmentin White River, South Africa
Painful root canals are a thing of the past. Recent advancements in technology and techniques have made root canal therapy a more tolerable and effective method of dental care.
The cutting edge of technology has shifted to a new generation, which is constantly developing.
To what extent, though, have these innovations affected endodontics and other branches of dentistry? Previously hopeless cases of endodontic disease are now being successfully treated, allowing for the restoration of previously lost teeth. The degree of predictability in endodontics has increased alongside the development of more sophisticated instruments. Recent years have seen advancements in a wide variety of surgical methods and technologies, including lasers, 3D imaging, microsurgery, and dynamic navigation.
We also offer frenectomy treatment, braces and dental crowns.
What is a Root Canal?
The term “root canal” refers to a physical structure within a tooth rather than a medical procedure. Also called the pulp, the hollow part of a tooth holds nerve tissue, blood vessels, and other cells.
A tooth has a crown and a set of roots. As the crown protrudes over the gum, the roots recede underneath. The tooth’s roots are what anchor it to the jaw.
The pulp resides in the root canal, which connects the crown to the root. The pulp hydrates the tooth and the tissues around it with nutrients. Pulp nerves register both hot and cold temperatures as painful sensations.
Endodontic therapy literally translates to “tooth inside”.
In endodontic treatment, instruments are used to clean the area around the affected tooth’s root canals. Endodontic Therapy is a root canal therapy that is both less intrusive and more effective than traditional root canal treatments. Endodontic treatment is typically reserved for teeth that are not in as dire a condition as those that would require a procedure like apical or retrograde apical therapy.
Another common kind of root canal therapy is apical therapy. Infected tissue close to the tooth’s tip can be removed with a series of devices and procedures known as apical treatment. When it comes to eliminating infections, apical therapies are typically more effective than endodontic therapies, but they are also more invasive. Apical therapies are normally reserved for more severely damaged teeth than those that require endodontic or retrograde apical treatments.
When to Opt for Root Canal treatment?
When a cavity in a tooth goes untreated for too long, a root canal procedure is the only way out. Root canal therapy is the gold standard treatment for fractured or broken teeth caused by oral germs invading the pulp. Let’s take a look at the signs that a root canal is your only viable treatment option.
- Ongoing tooth pain: If pain persists despite medication, a root canal procedure may be necessary.
- Swollen gumsare the result of pus collecting around infected teeth and need attention.
- When a tooth is unusually sensitive to both hot and cold temperatures, a root canal procedure is usually necessary.
- Tooth darkening occurs when an infection in the pulp of the tooth causes the tooth to appear darker. When this happens, it’s because the tooth isn’t getting enough blood.
- A gum pimple is a common symptom of tooth infection. Pus from the irritated tooth causes a bad smell and taste.
The Root Canal Treatment Procedure
According to research by the American Association of Endodontists, over 41,000 root canal procedures are performed every day in the United States. The average time for a root canal procedure is between 30 and 60 minutes.
Typically, endodontic treatment only requires two office visits and entails the following procedures:
- By taking an X-ray, our dentist can examine the root canals and check for infection in the bone around the tooth. We will administer local anaesthesia to numb the region around the tooth. Although the nerve may be dead, most dentists will nevertheless numb the area to put you at ease.
- Our dental professional will place a sheet of rubber around the tooth to prevent saliva from getting in the way of the treatment.
- The next step is to drill a hole in the tooth to gain entry. The nerve tissue, germs, and decaying pulp are taken out of the tooth. Root canal files are used to clean the region. They are inserted into the tooth’s access canal and moved thoroughly along its length to clean the root canals. During the cleanup process, the area will be sprayed with water or sodium hypochlorite.
- The tooth is sealed once it has been cleaned. Some dentists recommend waiting a week after filling the tooth before sealing it. In the case of an infection, for instance, the dentist may choose to provide treatment directly into the tooth. In some cases we may opt to have the tooth sealed on the same day as the cleaning. A temporary filling is placed in the outside hole in the tooth to keep out saliva and food if the root canal is not performed on the same day.
- The root canal is filled in at the next appointment using a sealer paste and a rubber compound called gutta percha. The incision made at the start of the procedure will be filled.
- Additional tooth restoration may be necessary as the last step. Teeth that have large fillings, significant decay, or other signs of weakening are more likely to require root canal treatment. As a result, you might require a crown, crown and post, or some other restoration to safeguard it, stop it from breaking, and get it back to full functionality. If additional dental work is necessary, our dentist will go over the options with you.
Will the Endodontic Treatment be Painful?
While discomfort is understandably concerning when considering this type of procedure, a skilled dental surgeon should be able to perform it with minimal discomfort.
The infection, not the treatment, is the source of the discomfort. The procedure does not create discomfort, but rather helps reduce it. Our dentist will numb the tooth and the area around it to make the process more bearable.
Tenderness after treatment is common. It won’t last forever, and over-the-counter pain relievers can be all you need to get through it. In cases where an infection is suspected or present, the dentist may recommend antibiotics.
After a root canal, it’s important to take extra care around the treated tooth or teeth, brush at least twice a day, and avoid any foods that require a lot of chewing or pressure.
