A Root Canal Can Save Your Damaged Tooth

You can get root canal therapy from your general dentist. The advancements in dentistry allow dentists to maintain natural teeth. A tooth with extensive decay or damage can still prevail with the right dental treatment. If you want to know how a root canal can save a damaged tooth, here are the details.

Preparing for the procedure

Many people think of root canal therapy as a terrible and painful procedure. Part of preparing for this treatment is to remove this negative thought. The latest technology in dentistry allows dentists to make each step of the procedure painless and comfortable. The general dentist may tell the patient to take antibiotics before the procedure.

A root canal may be an emergency procedure. Dental fracturing or chipping may reach the pulp area of the tooth. The damage serves as an opening for bacteria to enter. The pain from this dental damage can be debilitating. An emergency appointment with the general dentist can give the patient immediate relief.

How the root canal procedure restores a natural tooth

The general dentist will order digital X-rays to confirm the extent of the dental damage. Then, the dentist will inject the area with a local anesthetic. This will make sure the procedure will be painless and comfortable for the patient. Drilling an access hole into the top part of the crown will come next. This will give the dentist an entry point for removing the infected pulp.

Reshaping and irrigating the canal will follow. This will remove any remaining pulp. An antibacterial agent will decrease the tooth’s risk of developing infections in the future. Drying the canal will be next. Then, the dentist will fill the canal with gutta-percha.

This material is thermoplastic. In its heated state, the general dentist can compress it to the tooth’s walls. This will seal the tooth. It will prevent the tooth from any future infection.

The gutta-percha will replace the pulp. The general dentist will seal the access hole. Then, the placement of a dental crown will come next. Feeling some discomfort after the root canal procedure is natural. The patient can manage this with ibuprofen or aspirin.

Seeing the general dentist for routine dental checks will maintain the treated tooth’s health. The patient’s tooth will have a second chance. It will have a more stable structure. It will also have a stronger bite. The dental crown will correct any discoloration. It will also protect the tooth from future damage and infection.

Why a dental crown is an ideal tooth restoration

There are cases when the dental damage and infection are too severe. The damage may have even reached the jawbone already. For this situation, the general dentist will extract the tooth. Dental implant surgery or a fixed bridge treatment will follow. Both restorative procedures will use a dental crown. The crown will replace the missing tooth and stabilize the restoration.

A root canal treatment can restore your damaged tooth

Dental damage can happen at any time. A crack or a chip can reach the pulp. This will result in pain and infection. Restoring the tooth with a root canal treatment can keep the tooth structure intact. Your general dentist will place a dental crown over the treated tooth to stabilize, strengthen, and protect it from future injury or infection.