What happens in root canal treatment?

>Do you feel intense pain in one of your teeth even when you aren’t eating? It can be because your root canal is filled with infected dental pulp and damaged nerves. A root canal is a natural chamber or the cavity which is at the core of a tooth consisting of the dental pulp. The network of blood vessels and nerves constitute the dental pulp. When these pulp and nerves are damaged, it results in intense pain from time to time, especially when you eat or drink. The best way to solve this problem is to get root canal treatment done. Root canal treatment> is one of the most common restoration services that people opt for when they wish to keep their natural tooth but want to get rid of the pain.

>Many people feel that the root canal treatment is a painful one. This isn’t true. To know if it is a painful process or not, you must understand the step-by-step process.

1. Anesthesia

Local anesthesia is injected to numb the affected tooth and the surrounding tissues.

2. Isolation of Tooth

To sterile the affected tooth and prevent contamination, a rubber dam or a thin rubber sheet is placed around the tooth. Since saliva contains bacteria and other debris, a rubber dam acts as a barrier that helps to keep the tooth clean, dry, contamination-free during the procedure.

3. Measurement

The dentist will then measure your tooth and root canal so that he or she can drill to the right depth. For this purpose, your dentist might either take an X-ray of your tooth structure and the root canal or use the electronic measurement technique.

4. Drilling

A small hole is drilled in the enamel and dentin layers of the affected tooth in order to reach the damaged or the infected pulp and the root canal system. The cavity created is then enlarged and flared, so they have a shape that’s ideal for filling and sealing.

5. Infection Removal

The damaged and dead pulp tissue, as well as bacteria, toxins and other debris harbored inside the tooth, are extracted and removed with the help of specially designed and precise dental instruments.

6. Cavity Cleanup

The newly created cavity inside the tooth is then thoroughly cleaned with antiseptic and antibacterial solutions.

7. Cavity Filling

After thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting the root canal, space is filled with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha and the canal is tightly sealed. The dentist may soften the gutta-percha once it’s been inserted into the canal by touching a hot instrument to it. This way it can be squished and packed down so it closely adapts to the shape of the cavity.

8. Sealing

The opening of the cavity or the hole created by your dentist to access the dental cavity is then sealed. A temporary cement material is used for sealing the dental hole.

9. Permanent Filling and Crown

A week later, your dentist will call you to replace the temporary filling with a permanent one and fit permanent porcelain or metal (usually amalgamated silver or gold) crown on the tooth.

For the first few days after the root canal treatment, the tooth may feel sensitive due to natural tissue inflammation, especially if there was pain or infection before the procedure. You can visit your restoration services expert to find the best solution for this discomfort.