5 Things You Should Know About Root Canal Therapy

Many people have misconceptions about root canal therapy, or root canal for short, since they have very little or no knowledge about the procedure. However, the proper understanding of root canals will help you to be confident while undergoing the procedure. It will also help you in obtaining the best outcome possible.

The following are the 5 things you need to know about root canal therapy, starting with what root canal exactly is.

• What Is a Root Canal?

A root canal is the removal of the damaged tooth pulp (the soft tissue in the middle of the tooth). In this procedure, the dentist removes the pulp and cleans, shapes, and files the remaining space to seal the root canal.

• Standard Procedure

Root canal therapy is commonly used all over the world to give patients relief from chronic dental diseases and boost their overall health.

• Reasons for Root Canal

When the soft tissue or pulp in the center of the tooth is damaged due to inflammation or infection, a root canal is performed to prevent the infection from spreading in the surrounding areas. The most common cause of root canal includes tooth decay, severe gum disease, or trauma to the tooth. If not treated on time it can lead to additional damage and develop more severe problems that would be hard to treat.

• How Root Canals Are Done

During the procedure, the dentist will first inject anesthesia to numb the damaged tooth and the surrounding tissues. The anesthesia makes the process painless for the patient.

Then, a dental dam — a thin piece of vinyl or rubber — is placed over the affected tooth. It prevents contact with other teeth and keeps them clean. Then the dentist drills your tooth and creates an opening to access the interior pulp. 

With the help of a specialized tool, they will then remove the damaged pulp and clean and shape the area thoroughly. Lastly, they will seal the hole tightly with a rubber-like material to prevent re-infection. The dentist then removes the dental dam after giving a temporary and permanent filling to the teeth.

• Aftercare For Root Canal Therapy

After the treatment, you might feel soreness. You could manage it with aspirin or ibuprofen. Moreover, the dentist will also prescribe you some antibiotics to prevent infection.

For temporary fillings, you will need to visit your dentist again for the placement of a permanent crown soon. Avoid biting or chewing food until you get permanent fillings in the tooth.

Hope this will help you and minimize anxiety while heading towards your root canal procedure.

Get root canal therapy from the best in Midland, TX — Primary Dental Clinic. For more information and scheduling consultation, call us at (432) 570-7080, book online, or visit us at 4519 N Garfield St., Suite 16A, Midland, TX 79705.