An infection of the tooth’s nerve and pulp can be caused by severe decay, large fillings, and chips or cracks in the tooth. As a result of deep decay, the nerve and pulp can become irritated, inflamed, and infected. Fortunately, root canal therapy can be done by your dentist to treat these dental problems. A root canal therapy is a procedure where your dentist will clean the diseased pulp to save your teeth.

Continue reading this blog post if you want to learn more about the benefits of root canal therapy.

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1 What Is Root Canal Therapy?
2 Benefits Of Root Canal Therapy
3 Reasons Why You Would Need A Root Canal Therapy
4 What Happens During A Root Canal Therapy Procedure
5 Can A Root Canal Treated Teeth Get Reinfected
6 How To Take Care Of Root Canal Treated Teeth
7 Why Is Root Canal Therapy Expensive
8 Final Thoughts

What Is Root Canal Therapy?

Root canal therapy also referred to as endodontic therapy, is a procedure used to restore a tooth’s health by removing the accumulated diseased tissue and sterilizing the inside of the tooth to prevent further infection and decay.

Root canal therapy is often done to clean out the canal system and cement the interior while maintaining the integrity of the tooth’s exterior. The procedure is painless and only involves minimal discomfort during the recovery period.

Benefits Of Root Canal Therapy

Have you ever suffered from a toothache that lasted all night long? Many oral problems include painful and persistent toothaches, dental caries, and tooth sensitivity.

Root canal treatment, also known as endodontic therapy, is a conventional dental treatment performed by dentists to treat these various dental problems. If you are thinking if root canal therapy is the best option for you, here are some benefits of root canal therapy:

It Prevents Tooth Loss

There are many ways to treat an infected or decaying tooth. Some people choose to extract the tooth to eliminate the problem. However, tooth extraction leaves gaps between the teeth, which can cause future problems. On the other hand, a root canal helps patients to preserve their natural tooth.

It Prevents Infection From Spreading To Adjacent Teeth

The root cause of decay in the tooth cavity is usually a pulp infection. If left untreated, a buildup of germs in this region may cause a severe infection, rapidly spreading to neighbouring teeth. Therefore, it is essential to have root canal therapy to remove the infected pulp to prevent the development and spread of these bacteria to other organs.

It Makes Your Teeth Look Better

During root canal therapy, your dentist will clean the affected area and fill the cavity with a polymer substance or fit the tooth with a crown. Crowns significantly improve the aesthetics of a tooth. As a result of their use in root canal procedures, they can restore the tooth’s function and cosmetic appeal.

It Prevents Jawbone Degeneration

A root canal preserves the structure of the tooth instead of extracting it. That’s why root canal therapy is the perfect alternative to tooth extraction.

If you won’t let your dentist treat your dental problems, there is a high possibility that you will lose your teeth. Due to microbial exposure and other factors associated with missing teeth, your jawbone may degenerate rapidly over time. Therefore, root canal therapy may help to prevent future jawbone problems.

Reasons Why You Would Need A Root Canal Therapy

A root canal can help preserve your teeth in excellent condition and prevent you from undergoing unnecessary procedures like tooth extraction.

Here are more reasons why you would need root canal therapy:

Dental Cavities: Cavities can spread germs to the tooth roots, resulting in irritation and inflammation of the pulp’s nerves.

Cracked Teeth: Germs can enter a tooth through cracks that may form from an accident, biting into something hard, or prolonged grinding and clenching.

Repeated Dental Treatments: When a person receives repeated dental treatments on a specific tooth, the tooth enamel becomes weak, resulting in the need for a root canal to be performed.

Dental trauma: Fractured teeth may also require root canal treatment. Through root canals, you will be able to maintain your natural tooth and attractive smile for a longer time through endodontic therapy. Moreover, you can continue to enjoy the foods you like. A root canal treatment can help your teeth last a lifetime if you take good care of them.

What Happens During A Root Canal Therapy Procedure

The following is a step-by-step guide of what happens during endodontic treatment:

Step 1: Local Anesthesia
A local anesthetic is applied to the tooth and surrounding areas to numb them. The doctor will wait for the right time until the area is completely numb.

Step 2: Dental Dam Application
The dentist can focus on the specific tooth receiving treatment while protecting the neighbouring teeth by applying a dental dam. This sterile environment also reduces the risk of infection by bacteria found in other parts of the mouth.

Step 3: Drilling
A tiny hole is drilled into the affected tooth to reach the dead dental pulp chamber. Depending on the tooth’s location that requires a root canal, the hole may be located along the biting surface or in the rear of the tooth.

Step 4: Remove Diseased Tissue & Nerves
The dead pulp tissue and nerves are removed with root canal instruments. After this procedure, your damaged teeth will no longer experience tooth pain.

Step 5: Disinfecting
One of the most crucial phases of the surgery is sanitizing the interior or canals of the damaged tooth. It is important to clean the canals to avoid reinfection.

Step 6: Put the Dental Fillings
Gutta-percha is a rubber-like thermoplastic filler substance placed into root canals and sealed in place with an adhesive cement sealer. Sealants help prevent the tooth from getting infected again later on.

After sealing your tooth, your dentist will educate you on taking care of your oral health. Antibiotics are most often prescribed to treat any infection that persists. After the treatment, you may experience some minor discomfort and soreness, which will disappear within a few days.

Can A Root Canal Treated Teeth Get Reinfected

Most root canal procedures have a high success rate. However, there is still a possibility of reinfection in a root canal-treated tooth. There are various reasons for this, including delay in dental fillings placement, insufficient seal between the dental pulp chamber and root canals, too small root canal, and improperly cleaned canals.

If an infected root canal happens, a second root canal surgery is needed to address the problem and avoid further complications. Don’t hesitate to contact us as soon as possible if you experience pain or other indications of a root canal infection. Burwood Dental Care can help identify the problem and treat it as soon as possible.

How To Take Care Of Root Canal Treated Teeth

After the root canal procedure, you must take precautions and take extra care to make it last longer. Here are the following tips on how you can take care of your root canal treated teeth:

Brush and Floss Regularly

Brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily. After a root canal procedure, keeping the surrounding area clean is critical. You must also avoid brushing too forcefully because it may cause the temporary filling or crown to become loose. Brush your teeth gently with a soft-bristled brush, and do not press the floss too hard between your teeth.

Rinse Your Mouth

The area around a root canal must always be kept clean and free of food debris. For the first three days following therapy, patients should also rinse it with salt water several times a day in addition to brushing and flossing. It is recommended that you rinse your mouth using lukewarm water with 12 tablespoons of table salt.

Eat Soft Foods

The patient should avoid eating cold foods, acidic food, and hard or crunchy snacks. These foods can remove temporary fillings or crowns, exposing the nerves beneath. Soft meals should be recommended as much as possible. Foods like soups and other nutritious meals can provide nutrition without damaging your teeth. You should eat foods at a mild temperature to prevent sensitivity.

Avoid Putting Too Much Pressure On Your Teeth

After root canal treatment, it is crucial to avoid excessive pressure on the tooth. It is recommended that people chew on the other side of their mouths. In addition, mouthguards are essential for people who grind their teeth. Even after the permanent crown or filling has been placed, they should continue to wear mouthguards. A mouthguard can reduce the effects of grinding on the teeth and dental restorations, allowing them to last longer.

Follow Your Dentist's Proper Care Instructions

Patients are also given after-care recommendations by your experienced dentist after root canal procedures. Dentists may suggest a specific oral hygiene regimen depending on the type of restoration. The patient must follow all of the instructions carefully.

A dental visit is also suggested if you feel any common signs of root canal infection. Our dental team will also educate you about the warning signs that you should know to prevent further complications. Rest assured that our endodontic procedure will be done under modern technology to give the best results that you deserve.

Why Is Root Canal Therapy Expensive

The cost of root canal can vary greatly depending on your dental problem, how many canals are to be filled, where the infected tooth is located, whether you need a dental crown, and how severe your dental problem is.

During the initial treatment, your dentist will determine the extent and location of the tooth decay. If necessary, dental X-rays may be taken. The cost of the procedure includes the anesthesia, the doctor’s fee, and all the materials used in the procedure.

If your condition is severe, you may need other dental procedures, making it more expensive. Additionally, there may be additional charges if the patient needs to be seen in an emergency or after hours.

Final Thoughts

Root canal treatment has many benefits, but one of the most significant benefits is that it relieves severe pain and infection in the mouth. It is a painless procedure that can treat your decayed tooth in just a couple of days.

Here at Burwood Dental Care, we only perform root canals when necessary. Our amazing team will help you to preserve your natural teeth, protect your mouth from infection, and prevent more serious dental problems. Our dental specialists will also educate you about the benefit of root canal and proper dental hygiene practice. We are an expert in handling anxious patients while treating all their dental conditions. Our dental team can answer any other questions you may have about root therapy or any other dental procedures. Just give us a call for more information!

If you are now ready to achieve your natural smile through our high-quality dental services, please call 03 7003 2004 or visit our Burwood East clinic at 9/2-8 Burwood Highway, located in Melbourne, VIC 3151. Our customer service representatives will be happy to assist you!

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