مقاله تخصصی
What is a root canal?
3 months ago
183 بازدید
Dr. Amir Abbas Mashari
تهرانEndodontist, root treatment specialist
A root canal is a dental procedure that involves removing the soft center of the tooth, the pulp. The pulp is made up of nerves, connective tissue, and blood vessels that help the tooth grow. In most cases, a general dentist or endodontist will perform a root canal while you are under local anesthesia.
A root canal is done when the soft inner part of the tooth, known as the pulp, is damaged or inflamed or infected....the crown, the part you see at the top of the gum, can remain intact, even if the pulp is dead....removing the damaged or infected pulp will damage the pulp....the best way to preserve the structure of the pulp is to:
- Deep decay due to untreated cavity
- Several dental operations on one tooth
- tooth chip or crack
- damage to the tooth (if it hits the mouth, it may damage the tooth; even if the damage is not removed from the tooth, the pulp will still be damaged)
The most common symptoms of damaged pulp include pain in the tooth and swelling and a feeling of warmth in the gums. The dentist will examine the damaged tooth and use x-rays to confirm the diagnosis. If he thinks you need a root canal, the dentist may refer you to a pulmonologist.
How is root canal treatment done?
Root canal treatment is performed at Dr. Mashari's clinic.... When you arrive for your appointment, a technician will escort you to the treatment room, help you into a chair, and place a scarf around your neck to protect your clothes from stains.
### Stage 1: Anesthesia
The dentist uses a small amount of numbing medicine on your gums near the damaged tooth.... As soon as it takes effect, the local anesthetic is injected into your gums.. You may feel stiffness or burning, but it goes away quickly.
You will stay awake during the procedure, but the anesthesia will prevent you from feeling pain.
### Step 2: Removing the pulp
While your tooth is numb, the esthetician or general dentist will make a small incision on the top of the tooth.... Once the infected or damaged pulp is exposed, the specialist will carefully remove it using special tools called files.... They will take special care to clean all the pathways (canals) of your tooth.
### Step 3: Antibiotics
After removing the pulp, the dentist may cover the area with a topical antibiotic to ensure that the infection is gone and prevent re-infection.. After cleaning and disinfecting the canals, the dentist will fill and seal the tooth with a sealant paste and a rubber-like substance called gutta-percha.... You may be prescribed antibiotics>.. ### Step 4: Temporary filling
The dentist finishes the procedure by filling the small opening above the tooth with a soft, temporary material. This sealant helps the canals to be protected from saliva damage.
Follow-up after root canal treatment
Your teeth and gums may become painful as the anesthetic wears off... your gums may also become swollen.
Most dentists will have you treat these symptoms with over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil).. They will take x-rays to make sure any infection is gone.... They will also replace temporary fillings with permanent fillings.
dangers of root canal therapy
Root canal treatment is done with the goal of saving the tooth....however, sometimes, the damage is too deep or the enamel is too fragile to withstand the procedure...these factors can lead to tooth loss.
If you are concerned about root canal treatment, you can talk to your dentist about an extraction procedure instead.. This often involves placing a partial denture, bridge or implant in place of the damaged tooth.
How much pain will I have after root canal treatment and when should I seek help?
Nerve removal is a major procedure, so pain after a root canal is normal...
A root canal involves deep cleaning inside the canals (inner cavity of the root) of your tooth, which can irritate the surrounding nerves and gums.
The pain doesn't have to last forever....in fact, the purpose of a root canal is to help you avoid pain from decay or a broken tooth....it's normal to feel mild to moderate pain for a few days after a root canal....any pain beyond this point may be due to extra canal cleaning or other procedures by your dentist.
Early recovery period
In the past, root canals were very painful....this is one reason people sometimes avoid such procedures....Dentists now have sedation measures that can be used to reduce pain during the procedure....Before the procedure, your dentist will use a local anesthetic that minimizes the pain....you may still feel pressure during the cleaning, but you should not feel any pain during the actual procedure.>
As the local anesthesia wears off after a root canal, you may feel some mild pain and tenderness....This is related to the cleaning process....During the tooth cleaning process, your dentist will make a small hole in the crown of the tooth and clean the patient's pulp inside the pulp chamber...Although uncomfortable, any pain and tenderness following a root canal should only last a few days.
Since pain after a root canal is usually mild, you only need over-the-counter pain relievers for relief....these include acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB)....you should check with your doctor before taking these medications to make sure they won't interfere with supplements you're not already taking or your previous prescription....immediately after a root canal causes more pain be.
Time to ask for help
Root canal pain should decrease over time....If you still have pain or swelling, you should see a dentist....Most people need one to two sessions to have a successful root canal.... In severe cases, you may need more cleaning sessions.... Frequent pain can be a symptom.
If you take over-the-counter pain relievers, your symptoms will ease....If that doesn't work, your doctor may prescribe ibuprofen or prescription pain relievers....these are only temporary.
Once your tooth has fully healed, your dentist may place a crown on it....these can be made of metal, porcelain, or gold....sometimes pain is a temporary side effect as you get used to the new crown.
.... As always, you can contact Dr. Mashari's clinic for advice and root canal treatment.... https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/root-canal-treatment/
