Neglecting your teeth can lead to a lot of oral problems including cavities and tooth decay. If you leave a decaying tooth untreated, it will penetrate the pulp and nerve of your tooth, which can be very painful and could also lead to infection.
If the problem continues to advance without proper dental care, it will threaten the integrity of the tooth and endodontic treatment, known as the dreaded root canal, will be the only method of fixing your problem. A root canal is a dental procedure that is performed by many dentists, but endodontists are root canal specialists.
Dispelling Common Myths
The phrase “root canal” can strike fear into the bravest of men and women because of the many misconceptions about the procedure. The most common myths about root canals is that it is excruciatingly painful. This is not true. Advancements in dental technology and anesthetics make root canal procedures virtually painless.
Another common myth about root canals is that the procedure is performed over a series of visits to your dentist. With today’s technological advancements and the incredible skills acquired during training, an endodontist can perform the visit in one visit, and that includes the x-rays, examinations, procedure, and the filling.
Yet another common myth about having a root canal is that you will only need to have the procedure if you have severe tooth pain. Everyone’s pain threshold is different. Therefore, it’s very possible to need a root canal even if the patient feels little to no pain in their tooth.
Regular dental visits are an important part of taking care of your body. Unfortunately, too many people wait until the very last minute to visit a dentist. Another reason people forgo regular dental checkups is there are no dental practices in their area.
Signs of Tooth Decay
Any type of pain or discomfort in your gums or teeth should be a sign that you need to see your dentist as soon as possible. Other signs that could signal possible tooth decay include sensitivity to hot or cold food and beverages with the painful sensation persisting after the hot or cold element is no longer there, which is a sign that the decay of your tooth extends to the nerve of your tooth.
In addition to pain and discomfort of the tooth, other signs of tooth decay include the darkening of the gumline and inflammation and/or pain in the lymph nodes. Even if you do not experience any of these symptoms, it’s possible you may need a root canal. For this reason, regular dental checkups are important.
During the Root Canal Procedure
Before you have the procedure, the endodontist will perform an examination and request x-rays in order to determine the severity of the decay in the affected tooth. They will then isolate the tooth from saliva using a dental dam to keep the tooth dry. They will next drill a hole in the center of the tooth to gain access to the pulp and nerve chamber. They will then clean the debris and file the tooth.
If an infection is detected, your endodontist will prescribe medication, usually an antibiotic, to fight it. If no infection is detected, they will patch up your tooth with a paste mixture called “gutta percha”. If necessary, your endodontist will also apply a crown to increase support and protection of the tooth.
If you stumbled upon this blog because you have an endodontic practice for sale or are looking to begin your endodontic career, you came to the right place. Talk to the dental practice consultants here at Aptus to guide you through a smooth dental transition.
