What Is Root Canal Therapy (RCT)?
A typical root canal operation will have the following steps:
- You will be given some form of sedation or local anesthetic and/or sedation.
- The inner pulp of the tooth will be cleared out.
- The canal will be disinfected.
- The root will be filled.
Crowns are always recommended as the best way to finish the procedure since it will restore the structural integrity of the tooth, and it will close the hole at the top that was created by the drill. If the hole is left open, you may risk future infection of the tooth.
Who Needs Root Canal Therapy?
There are some tell tale signs that you may need a root canal, if you experience these symptoms you should definitely get a dentist appointment.
Consistent Pain
You may experience tooth pain that doesn’t seem to go away. If the tooth pain is ongoing, usually for more than 24-48 hours, there is a good chance you may have a cavity. The pain may be consistent, or it can even come and go, so if it goes away and reappears with in that time you should keep track of that sensation. Even if the pain is only minor and does not really bother you, you should get it checked out.
Temperature Sensitivity
Similarly to the consistent pain symptom, consistent sensitivity is a possible sign that damage has occurred in the tooth. If your enamel is damaged from the decay, the tooth will become more sensitive. Sometimes tooth sensitivity has underlying medical conditions, but if you do experience consistent sensitivity, then you should seriously consider an appointment.
Tooth Discoloration
When the inner pulp of the tooth gets damaged, it can affect the color of the tooth. This occurs due to lack of blood flow within the tooth. If you notice a single tooth is suddenly turning an off-white color, you should immediately get it checked out. The color change may be anything from yellow to black!
Swollen Gums
Dental abscesses will show up as boils on the gum, if you see a bump on your gums, do not try to pop it! This is a sign you have a inner pulp infection on your tooth.
Chipped Or Cracked Tooth
Tooth injuries, if left untreated, can leave the tooth vulnerable to infection. The break may not even be your own fault. It may have occurred due to trauma, teeth grinding (bruxism), or biting down to hard. We often do these things subconsciously, and they can happen to anyone.
Loose Teeth
Infection Complications & Risks
- Dental abscess
- Joint pain
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Sepsis
These are all incredibly painful and serious situations you will want to avoid at all costs. If you have dental anxiety you will want to find a clinic that can handle that because the outcomes that can result in leaving it untreated will be significantly worse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I wait to get a root canal?
Never, if you the dentists recommends it you should get it as soon as possible.
What if I don't have coverage for a root canal?
If the infection is caught early enough, it can be extracted and the damage will be minimal. Tooth extractions are considerably cheaper then a root canal.
