Understanding the Root Canal Treatment Process
If you have an upcoming dentist appointment for a root canal treatment, you might be having some apprehension about the process. There are often stories of people dreading root canal treatments. However, most of the fear emanates from a lack of knowledge. If you know what goes into the treatment, you will be half-prepared for the process. After you are through with it, you will note that there is much ado about nothing.
Anesthesia
The dentists or an assistant starts by applying local anesthesia to the problematic tooth and the surrounding areas. This is done using injections. Sometimes, if the tooth has a massive inflammation, it may take some time before the numbness occurs. However, the procedure will not start till the numbness is achieved.
Dental Dam
This is a thin sheet made of either rubber or vinyl that is used to isolate the problematic tooth from the rest. It helps provide a sterile environment since it prevents saliva and the bacteria it carries from reaching the work area.
Preparation
The treatment process starts by drilling a small hole on the top biting part of the tooth to provide access to the root canal. The dentist uses special equipment to remove the infected tissue and to clean the pulp chamber. Since you are under anesthesia, this is not a painful process. In addition, the tissue being removed is often dead. Once all the dead tissue is removed, the dentist uses a disinfectant and antibacterial solution to clean the canals.
Filling
Special instruments are used to shape the canals so that they can receive the new fillings and sealants. A material made of thermoplastic material is used to fill the canal space and a sealer acts as an adhesive to keep it in place. This is a crucial step since improper sealing can result in the tooth becoming infected. This would necessitate a retreatment. The dentist will then place a filling over the tooth. This could be permanent or temporary depending on the decision made by the dentist. If the filling is not firmly in place, the dentist may choose to add a post in one of the canals to offer additional support. The dental dam can now be removed.
Tooth Care
Once the process is finished, an antibiotic is prescribed to help prevent infection. The after-effects of the procedure only last for a few days and any discomfort can be managed by over the counter medication. Therefore, you should not be afraid of making an appointment for a root canal.
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