Root canals are two words that make many people cringe. However, learning about the process can help calm you down. If you have ever had a shooting pain when biting on food, a constant stinging sensation when drinking hot or cold beverages, or having inflamed and sensitive gums, then you may need a root canal treatment.

These symptoms, and others such as darkened teeth or a cracked tooth, may signify tooth infection. If the pulp in a tooth becomes infected or inflamed, a root canal might be the only way to keep the tooth. If you are suffering from any of these signs, it is advisable that you seek the services of an endodontist to determine whether you are a candidate for a root canal.

At Tayani Dental Group, we ensure that our patients are well-informed and make the right decisions regarding their dental health. Located in Fullerton, our team is ready to help you from the beginning and throughout the root canal process so that you feel comfortable.

An Overview Of A Root Canal

A root canal, also called endodontic treatment, is a treatment to retain a tooth compromised by disease, trauma, or tooth decay. The root canal procedure focuses on the pulp, which lies deep inside the tooth. The pulp is a soft material in the middle of your tooth composed of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues. The nerves extend from the top of the tooth to the pulp canal.

When this pulp becomes inflamed or infected due to decay, numerous dental procedures, poorly-fitted crowns, or a chip/ crack, a root canal is an ideal way to save the tooth.

When performing a root canal, an endodontist, a specialist in the dental treatment of the tooth's root, removes the damaged or infected pulp. After removing the pulp, they wash and disinfect the tooth cavity to eradicate bacteria. After that, they thoroughly clean the tooth again, filling and sealing the space with a particular material called gutta-percha. Last, a crown or filling is placed back over the tooth to protect and strengthen it like any other tooth.

Most dental patients have a misconception that root canal treatment is painful. But with advancements in technology and the availability of anesthesia, it is no more painful than getting a filling. That is the actual discomfort of having some infection or inflammation that has necessitated the procedure in the first place. A root canal helps treat the tooth and alleviate the pain; this treatment also allows for avoiding tooth extraction.

How To Know You Need A Root Canal

Teeth are supposed to last a lifetime, but sometimes damage or decay attacks the tooth's root or pulp. When this occurs, you may notice signs that you require endodontic treatment. These are symptoms; if left untreated, the situation could worsen and cause tooth loss or spread the infection to other parts of your mouth and body.

Signs That You Need A Root Canal

Your body is designed to send out distress signals that are hard to miss. These signs include:

  • Persistent Pain

You should be concerned if you have been suffering from a prolonged dull or stabbing pain that lasts for several hours without any apparent reason. This pain may become more severe when you chew food or apply pressure on the affected region. The pain might be intense, and you will find that it wakes you up at night, and you cannot have a sound sleep again. It usually indicates that the nerve inside the tooth is injured or infected and should be addressed by an endodontist.

  • Sensitivity To Heat And Cold

If drinking coffee or eating ice cream causes electricity-like pain to shoot through your teeth, it could be more than a mere toothache. Such sensitivity is usually caused by the exposure of the nerve endings in your tooth’s pulp by deep decay or a crack. This type of pain differs from normal sensitivity, which only lasts for a short period after the hot or cold stimulus has been applied. It indicates that the tooth's inner pulp may be damaged and requires treatment.

  • Tooth Discoloration

Even when the teeth are correctly aligned, their color may reveal much information that may be unpleasant to hear. When a tooth becomes dark, for instance, it turns gray or black, there is a chance that the pulp will be infected or dead. The discoloration of the internal tissues of the tooth is a clear sign that you might require root canal treatment. Staining by coffee, wine, or tobacco can affect the outside of the tooth, while internal staining is usually worse and should be checked by a dentist.

  • Swollen Gums

Red, tender, or swollen gums around a particular tooth may also indicate that a root canal may be needed. This swelling is usually tender and localized around the area of the affected tooth, but it may be painful. Sometimes, you can also observe an uninfected small pimple-like formation on the gums that may discharge pus. This hump is known as a dental abscess, and it signifies infection often. The only solution is to open the abscess and clean the root canal.

  • Pain When You Eat Or Touch The Tooth

If every meal or snack becomes painful because of the pressure one applies to a given tooth, it may be a sign that the nerve is exposed or the tooth is cracked. This pain can result in even worse conditions, such as infections or abscesses.

  • A Chipped Or Cracked Tooth

A small crack can form a space for bacteria to penetrate and infect the pulp, which requires endodontic treatment. If you have recently been involved in an accident or sustained an injury that resulted in the chipping or cracking of one or more of your teeth, visit your dentist as soon as possible.

  • Tooth Mobility

Tooth mobility or feeling like your tooth is becoming loose can indicate the tooth’s structure is compromised. Infection in the pulp can cause the surrounding bone to dissolve, leading to tooth mobility. If a tooth feels wobbly or unstable, visit your dentist to prevent further damage and the potential loss of the tooth.

Step-by-Step Endodontic Procedure

Whenever you hear the word root canal, you may imagine a long and complex procedure that makes you uncomfortable. Nevertheless, current endodontic treatment is painless.

Knowing what to expect in any procedure is always helpful, and understanding the procedure involved in root canals will help ease fears. Below are the steps of every process, from preparation for the procedure and the procedure itself to post-operative care.

Pre-Treatment/ Preparation

Important procedures must be carried out before root canal surgery so that the surgery will be effective and fast. First, your endodontist examines and takes pictures to determine the severity of the damage and infection. This step assists the endodontist in identifying the right tooth treatment to provide. When the assessment is done, your dentist will explain the procedure and answer any questions or concerns that you may have. This way, people will not be overwhelmed by this process.

For a root canal, local anesthesia is administered to numb the area where the root canal is to be done. This prevents any pain during the treatment. It is possible to feel some pressure or even mild pain, but this is far from the discomfort you will have when you have an infection in the tooth.

Your dentist may also use a thin sheet called a ‘dental dam’ to isolate the tooth and keep your mouth clean and moisture-free. This barrier helps avoid saliva contamination of the tooth and provides a proper environment for the instrument to work.

Sometimes, the dentist prescribes medications to treat the infection, such as antibiotics, and then schedules the root canal procedure for a later date.

These medications help reduce inflammation and prevent the spread of infection, making the procedure more effective and reducing the risk of complications. Following your dentist's instructions carefully before your appointment will help set the stage for a successful treatment.

During The Treatment

After the area around your tooth is numb and the area for the procedure is ready, the root canal can then commence.

The first procedure requires the dentist to make a tiny hole in the tooth crown. An entry point is made through which the endodontist can reach the pulp chamber that is infected or damaged. With the help of special tools, the endodontist will remove the infected pulp that also contains nerves and blood vessels. The goal is to remove the cause of pain and infection in the form of bacteria or any debris. Sometimes, you may notice mild discomfort when the endodontist operates, but the anesthesia will relax you.

The following process is the cleaning and preparing of the inside walls of the tooth’s root canals. These canals are minute channels that start from the pulp chamber and run up to the apex of the root of that tooth. The endodontist then disinfects and cleans this small canal to eradicate the rest of the microbes. The above part of the procedure is essential in avoiding reinfection and the overall success of the treatment process. The cleaning process may involve washing the floor with an antibacterial solution whereby all impurities that may still be present are washed out.

When the canals are thoroughly washed, the endodontist contours them for the filling. Gutta-percha is placed neatly into each canal and well condensed to prevent gaps, bacteria penetration, and new infections.

After the root canals are filled and sealed, the small opening in the tooth's crown is closed with a temporary or permanent filling. This step helps protect the treated area until a more permanent restoration, like a crown, can be placed. Depending on the condition of your tooth and the extent of the damage, your endodontist may recommend a follow-up visit to place a crown. A crown strengthens the tooth and restores its natural appearance and function, allowing you to bite and chew comfortably.

Your endodontist will monitor your comfort throughout the procedure and ensure the treatment progresses as planned. The entire procedure usually takes about 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the case's complexity, and most patients are pleasantly surprised at how quick and painless it can be.

Post-Treatment

After the root canal, you feel relieved because the pain and discomfort caused by the infection are eliminated.

Proper care is necessary for the tooth to heal and last many years. This is usually accompanied by slight pain or tenderness after the procedure. This is normal, and the symptoms disappear within the next few days. Your endodontist may advise you to use pain-relieving drugs or suggest that you use some over-the-counter drugs in case you feel soreness.

For the next few days after the root canal treatment, it is advisable to be gentle on the treated tooth. Do not bite on hard foods, and be careful when eating so that pressure is not placed on the affected area. Eating soft foods prevents the situation from worsening and lets the tooth heal. Sometimes, the tooth is crowned with a temporary filling and should be handled carefully.

If your endodontist has placed a temporary filling, refrain from biting on the affected side of your mouth until the tooth has a permanent filling.

Follow-up visits are also an important component. Your endodontist will arrange a follow-up visit to assess the health of the tooth and the procedure of placing a crown or a permanent filling. A crown is advisable, especially for molars, since it fortifies the tooth, reconstructs its contour, and shields it from further damage. A crown strengthens the tooth, and its color matches that of other teeth, so it cannot be easily spotted.

Good oral hygiene practices enhance the success of your root canal treatment. Brushing and flossing the teeth regularly is advisable to avoid new infections in the treated area. You should continue your routine visits to the dentist and cleaning, enabling your dentist to check on your root canal treatment status in case of a problem.

In some rare cases, you might notice signs of complications, such as prolonged pain, swelling, or a feeling of pressure in the treated tooth. If these symptoms occur, contact your endodontist immediately. While root canal treatments are highly successful, there are instances where retreatment may be necessary due to hidden canals, delayed placement of a crown, or new decay.

Success Rate of a Root Canal

Root canal treatments are effective; various studies indicate that they can be long-lasting and that the natural tooth can be saved for many years. Research on root canal treatments' success rate shows that the figure is typically between 85% and 97%. These figures depict the dependability of endodontic therapy.

The American Association of Endodontists suggests that teeth treated with endodontics can survive a lifetime if maintained well. This high success rate is due to enhanced dental technology and methods and the high qualifications of endodontists and other specialists.

Today, digital imaging technology and microscopic instruments enable the endodontist to do clean and efficient work, cutting out all infected tissue and sealing the tooth properly.

Risks Associated With Root Canal

Root canal treatments are safe and efficient but have specific risks, like any procedure. Root canal treatment is meant to treat the infection and retain the natural tooth, but the following issues may sometimes occur.

     1. Infection

Even though dentists clean and disinfect the root canal, bacteria may still be trapped within it, thus causing reinfection. The filling material may not effectively seal the canal, causing infection. If an infection recurs, further treatment or re-treatment of the problem may be required. In some exceptional circumstances, the dentist might recommend surgical intervention, for example, apicoectomy, in which the infected tissue is removed from the tip of the root and the surrounding bone.

     2. Instability Of The Tooth

When performing the root canal, the dentist extracts the pulp, nerves, and decayed tissue, which makes the teeth more vulnerable to cracks and fractures. This is why it is often advised to put a crown over the treated tooth to strengthen it. If not appropriately restored, the tooth may crack or break under normal biting pressure, further complicating the situation.

     3. Damaging Neighboring Nerves

However, the instruments involved in the procedure may rarely invade beyond the root tip and cause inflammation or even destruction of the nerve endings. This may cause temporary or, in the worst cases, even permanent loss of sensation or feeling of tingling in the treated area. However, there are always chances of affecting the surrounding area, especially the pulp.

     4. Allergic Reaction

Some patients might develop allergic reactions to the products used during the root canal, such as the latex in rubber dams, sealants, and fillings. It is important to tell your endodontist if you have any allergies, especially those that could be life-threatening before the procedure is conducted.

There are general risks associated with any dental treatment, which means that after the root canal, some people may experience discomfort, redness, or bruising of the treated area. The symptoms of this condition usually are mild and manifest in some cases, and they are likely to disappear within the first few days.

Find a Qualified Endodontist Near Me

If you have a toothache causing discomfort that does not seem to disappear, you want to seek an endodontist’s help. At the Tayani Dental Group in Fullerton, we have knowledgeable dental specialists waiting to relieve you from pain. Whether it is a simple cleaning or you have a cavity or a root canal, we have modern tools and the ability to fix your pain. Contact our dental office at 949-741-0795 to book an appointment. You can also visit our website to learn more about our dental services.