Root Canal Therapy: The Excellent Way of Salvaging a Decayed Tooth

Anyone who has ever had a cavity will attest to the sleepless nights that come with it. Eating is no longer fun due to the jolt of pain that you experience whenever food gets stuck in the cavity. This situation can go on for months, and if you don’t deal with tooth decay, an abscess may soon follow, and you might eventually lose your tooth.

Nothing compares to having your natural teeth, even if you get dental implants and a porcelain crown. This is why our dentist in Rifle, CO, offers root canal therapy. Instead of waiting for the inevitable to happen, getting treatment would be the best course of action.

Root Canal Therapy Basics

Our dentist in 81650 believes in salvaging your natural teeth by all means possible. Years ago, saving a decayed tooth was impossible, and tooth extractions were the only solution. With modern dentistry, you can keep your teeth and, in turn, boost your oral health.

Root canal therapy is a service that is provided under endodontics. This is a branch of dentistry that deals with treating the softer inner parts of the tooth. Under the hard white outer part of your teeth (enamel), there is a yellowish softer part known as the dentin. Underneath the dentin is the core of the tooth, known as the pulp.

The pulp is at the center of the tooth is comprised of cells, nerves, connective tissue, and blood vessels that are essential for the nourishment and growth of the tooth root.

Your pulp is safely encased underneath the enamel. However, the pulp can be exposed because of:

• A severe cavity
• Trauma
• Several dental treatments that have affected the root canal
• A cracked tooth
• Large tooth filling

When the pulp is exposed, it gets infected, and this is when our dentist in Rifle, CO, has to remove it to salvage your tooth.

Is It Necessary to Remove the Pulp?

As you know by now, the pulp has living tissue such as blood vessels and nerves. However, if it is exposed, it becomes inflamed and infected. Bacteria begin to multiply within the pulp chamber while they breakdown the damaged pulp. Shortly after, an abscess, which is an infection caused by the bacteria, forms a pus-filled pocket within the pulp chamber.

An abscess can cause the following:

• Swelling that can spread from the tooth to the neck, face, or head
• Bone loss around the area where the infected tooth is located
• Drainage issues where the pus can flow from the root to the gums or through the cheeks into your skin

What Are the Signs That You Need a Root Canal Therapy?

Peel your eyes for any of the following indicators so that you can rush to see our dentist if you notice them:

• Swollen gums around the affected tooth
• Pimples on your gums that keep on reappearing
• Discolored teeth
• Sharp pain whenever you eat
• Extended periods of tooth sensitivity even when your teeth aren’t exposed to hot or cold stuff
• Darkened gums or deep decay

How Is the Procedure Carried Out?

The root canal therapy might need two dental visits and is carried out as follows:

Step 1

The procedure commences when our dentist administers local anesthesia so that the area can be numb. This is done to ensure that you are comfortable and not in pain during the procedure. A dam will be placed around the tooth so that the area around the tooth remains dry.

Step 2

The top of your tooth will be drilled so that our dentist may gain access to the root canal. An irrigating system will be used to remove all the damaged parts within the root canal. Then, the pulp chamber will be cleaned to remove any debris. The root canal will be shaped and then rinsed. In most cases, our dentist will use an antimicrobial to disinfect the chamber.

Step 3

After the chamber dries up, a rubbery material known as a gutta-percha will be used to close the space. Then the tooth will be sealed using a temporary filling as your permanent crown is being fabricated.

Step 4

After a week or so, you will come to our office to get your permanent crown fixed. A crown is normally the ideal solution since it reinforces the tooth.

The recovery time is about three days or so. If you feel pain for longer than a week, you need to come back to see our dentist.

If you desire to reap the benefits of going for a root canal, contact our dentist at 81650, Rifle Dental Care, to schedule an appointment.