You may have heard about people needing a root canal, or perhaps you have recently been told that you need one, but you are not sure exactly what it is.
In this article, we will share everything you need to know about root canals so that you know what to expect on the day of your appointment.
A root canal is a dental procedure which aims to remove the soft pulp situated at the center of the tooth. The pulp is made up of connective tissue, nerves, and blood vessels that are responsible for helping the tooth grow.
The procedure is performed either under local anesthetic or conscious sedation and can be performed in the chair.
A root canal is needed when a tooth’s pulp is injured, infected, or inflamed. This results in extreme pain and discomfort.
The rest of the tooth, known as the crown, can remain intact even if the pulp is dead or removed. In fact, removing the unhealthy pulp of the tooth is the best method to preserve the structure and integrity of the tooth as a whole.
The following can compromise the health of a tooth’s pulp:
Before you are booked in for a root canal, it must first be determined if one is necessary. This is done by doing an Xray of the tooth in question. Once a diagnosis has been confirmed, your dentist may refer you to an endodontist who will be performing the root canal.
The following is what you can expect on the day of your procedure:
A small amount of numbing gel will be applied to the gum around the affected tooth. Once the numbing medication has taken effect, we will inject a local anesthetic into the gums surrounding the tooth.
Once the anesthetic is in full effect, a small opening will be made in the top of the tooth to expose the infected or damaged pulp. Using special tools, the pulp is then removed from the tooth and all the pathways in your tooth will be cleaned out.
Once all the pulp is removed and the tooth’s canals have been adequately cleaned, a topical antibiotic may be applied to the tooth to ensure the current infection is treated and further infection is prevented. The tooth is then sealed with a special paste and rubber-like material. Oral antibiotics may also be prescribed for extra measure.
The procedure is completed with a temporary filling being added to the small opening in the top of the tooth. This filling helps prevent the vulnerable canals in the tooth from being exposed to and damaged by saliva. The filling is temporary because if there are complications that arise after the procedure, your endodontist can easily access the inside of the tooth again.
Once the procedure is done, you will be sent home with a prescription for pain medication and most likely a course of oral antibiotics.
After a number of hours, you will begin to feel the anesthetic wearing off, resulting in some pain and discomfort in your mouth and there is a possibility that your gums may swell slightly. This is completely normal, and the pain medication prescribed to you will provide you with much-needed relief.
You should be able to resume normal activity the day after your root canal, but you will need to avoid chewing on that tooth until it is fully healed and permanently filled.
A few days later, you will need to return to your dentist’s rooms for a follow up and an Xray will be done to ensure the root canal was a success. It’s at this stage that the temporary filling will be replaced with a permanent one.
For the next few weeks, your tooth might feel strange, and it may take some time getting used to. It’s important to note that this is completely normal and nothing to be concerned about.
Our general dentistry services in Cape Town include professional root canals performed expertly with zero discomfort.
We strive to ensure that you are always comfortable and well taken care of when you are in one of our chairs, especially during a root canal.
To find out more about our dental and orthodontic clinics in Cape Town, or to book a consultation at a branch near you, please feel free to contact us.
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