How can you know if you need a dental filling or a root canal? What are the most evident indicators you need a root canal and can’t avoid? Well, root canal therapy is very common. With over 15 million root canals performed each year (an estimate from the American Association of Endodontists), you’re not alone if your dentist suggests a root canal procedure.
Do you have root canal pain and discomfort in your mouth? When should you get a root canal?
Before we jump into the indications that you require a root canal, let us get into the basics first.
read more: How often should you prefer professional dental cleaning, and why?
What Exactly Is a Root Canal?
A root canal operation is used to remove the inflamed or infected pulp from the inside of a tooth. A root canal is an endodontic treatment; endo means “within,” and odont means “tooth” in Greek.
Endodontic therapy will be performed to remove the unhealthy pulp, clean the root canal, and fill and seal the area. Your dentist will place a crown or other repair to safeguard the tooth when the root canal is completed.
It is critical to treat the root canal infection since it might spread and cause health problems outside of your mouth.
But how do you know about the need for a root canal? Here are some symptoms that can hint you to go for a check-up.
Check Now: Understanding the components and working mechanism of braces
- Extreme discomfort while eating
- Excessive pressure on a tooth
- Temperature sensitivity that is not consistent (hot, cold food, beverages or even weather)
- Tenderness or swelling of the gums
- Darkening of the teeth’s hues
- General tooth discomfort that is not alleviated by over-the-counter medications
These are the basic signs which indicate the need for root canal therapy. From child to adult, anyone can feel such symptoms. Let’s elaborate on when you should get root canal treatment because sometimes temperature sensitivity or mild pain can be treated with a dental filling. Only your dentist can tell which one you need.
Situations that demand root canal therapy
Decay
Decay is the most common reason patients require root canals. A cavity can enter your pulp chamber or nerve if it grows large enough. When bacteria penetrate this chamber, it produces pain and, in certain cases, infection.
Check Now: Different Types of Invisalign You Should Know About Before Getting One
A dental filling can usually treat early decay, but decay that reaches the pulp (the soft nerve tissue inside the tooth) often needs root canal treatment. The same can be true for children. Deep decay can cause severe pain, and a root canal may be needed to save the tooth and ease discomfort.
Trauma
If your tooth cracks or breaks, you may require a root canal. Trauma to your tooth can potentially expose your pulp chamber, injure your nerve, and cause pain.
A chipped or broken tooth is a two-pronged indicator that the tooth may require a root canal. For example, there could have been trauma to the tooth that caused the chip or crack, resulting in the inflamed or infected pulp. Second, the tooth may be so decaying or infected that it is cracked or chipped because it is dead. In either case, you may need a root canal to save the rest of the tooth. Your dentist will check the tooth and explain your options.
Must See: How To Take Care of Your Dental Bridges: A Starter Guide
Swollen gums
If your gums are inflamed, this could indicate an infected tooth. This is distinct from having sore gums after flossing or brushing too aggressively. The swollen gums can be uncomfortable and painful to touch and. If you see any bumps on your gums, it could be an indication of an infected tooth that may need root canal therapy.
Call 911 if you have trouble breathing or swallowing. For facial swelling with a fever, or a serious injury to the face or mouth, go to an emergency department or call Health Link 811 (24/7 advice from a registered nurse). For other dental concerns, call us at 403-345-1110.
Severe Pain
If you experience sudden pain like a wave, you may have an infected or dead tooth that requires a root canal. You should visit the dentist for any discomfort in your mouth while chewing hard or soft food.
Also, if you feel any pain or heaviness while changing posture, it may be a sign of a tooth that needs a root canal. Is there pressure on your teeth and face when you lie down or bend down? This could result from severe decay, which may need a root canal.
Read more: What are the things to consider before getting veneers?
Intentional root canal
Sometimes when teeth are too attired and need crown restoration, at that time, intentional RCT is done. In some cases of partial denture procedures, supporting teeth are being treated for a better prognosis.
Such situations may call for root canal treatment. If you have any symptoms mentioned above, visit the dentist for the root canal in Calgary.
Who performs the root canal procedure?
The dentist usually performs root canal therapy in Canada. If the case is complicated or a more advanced technique is required, your dentist may refer you to an endodontist. An endodontist is a dentist who has finished a post-graduate specialization degree in endodontics. Endodontics is a dental specialty focused on treating the tooth’s dental pulp or nerve.
If your child’s primary (baby) tooth is injured, your dentist may recommend you to a pediatric dentist for this operation. A pediatric dentist has completed at least two years of additional university training in treating children.
How is a root canal procedure performed?
After the consultation and radiographical examination, your dentist will give you an appointment for root canal treatment.
Must Read: What Are the Situations That Demand Restorative Dentistry?
On the day of treatment, the dentist will administer local anesthesia to numb the operating area.
Then, the dentist will apply a rubber dam around the tooth to protect it from bacteria in your saliva during the treatment. The dentist makes a hole in the tooth to access the root canal system and injured pulp. The pulp is removed by cleaning and expanding the root canal system with very fine dental equipment.
Once the canals are cleaned, the dentist fills and plugs the canal. The tooth opening is subsequently filled with either a temporary or permanent filling.
The root canal treatment is often finished with crown placement in Calgary. A crown or cover is often recommended for root canal-treated teeth for protection and longevity of the tooth.
Benefits of saving the tooth:
Root canal therapy in Canada is considered painful; thus, many people opt for extraction rather than saving a tooth. However, we want to inform you that root canal therapy is usually comfortable and frequently causes less difficulty throughout recovery than pulling your original tooth. Modern techniques and local anesthesia help keep most patients comfortable.
Read More: How to keep your teeth naturally white?
There are numerous clinical reasons why root canal treatment is required, but countless practical reasons why preserving the original tooth is sensible. Endodontic therapy help to keep your smile natural, consume the foods you enjoy and reduce the need for ongoing dental care. With good care, many root canal-treated teeth can last for many years, often for life.
Here are the benefits of a root canal over-extraction:
- Root canal therapy is usually comfortable and frequently causes less difficulty throughout recovery than having your original tooth pulled.
- Time and cost: Because of the number of follow-up appointments required for a denture, implant, tooth extraction may take longer than root canal therapy; also, the cost may be higher. Many dental insurance plans cover part of endodontic treatment, so check your plan.
- Visually Appealing Outcome: Crowns not only function like real teeth, but they also look beautiful. With root canal therapy, you may restore your smile and laugh again.
Recovery after Root canal treatment:
When the anesthesia wears off following the surgery, some discomfort may be felt during recovery. This is especially true if swelling or inflammation is present at the start. Often, the soreness is mild and eases in a few days. Over-the-counter pain relief may help with post-root canal discomfort. Use it only as directed on the package. Ask a pharmacist, doctor or dentist which option is safe for you, especially for children, during pregnancy, or if you take other medicines or have a health condition.
Check Now: What are the key factors to consider when choosing dental crowns?
Teeth with root canals are more fragile and prone to chipping or fracturing. As a result, a dental crown is usually recommended to protect these teeth that are subjected to strong biting forces. This is especially true for the posterior teeth (bicuspids and molars) in the back of the mouth. Anterior teeth (incisors and canines) in the front of the mouth do not resist the same biting pressures and do not usually require reinforcing with a dental crown.
Recovery after the root canal treatment is usually quick. It is a bit like wearing a new shoe. The way a new shoe gives discomfort for a few days, treated teeth may also feel strange at first but usually feel normal with time.
Bottomline
The pulp and root of your tooth might become inflamed and painful if it becomes infected. See your dentist right away if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms.
Leaving a broken or infected tooth untreated is often more painful than having a root canal done. Most patients feel little discomfort during treatment. After the anesthesia wears off, you may have some mild pain and sensitivity, which usually eases over a few days. Call your dentist if pain or swelling gets worse or does not improve.
Although many people are afraid of the word “root canal,” dental surgery in Calgary usually feels much like having a filling. Many people feel better soon after treatment.
