Many patients feel nervous about undergoing root canal therapy since they believe that the procedure might be painful. However, if done correctly and adequately, it becomes a painless procedure. Root canal therapy is a dental procedure that is needed if you have a tooth pulp infection or tooth pulp damage. If you are experiencing a severe toothache, root canal therapy may be a perfect solution to your problem.
Continue reading this blog post for more details about the procedures of root canal therapy, what to expect, and how to determine if it’s the best treatment for you.
Content Navigation
What is Root Canal Therapy?
Root canal therapy is a dental procedure that treats tooth pulp damage and infected nerves with a dental filling. The pulp in the central part of the tooth is composed of specialized dental cells, blood vessels, soft tissue fibres, and nerve cells. By treating the tooth pulp infection, it is possible to eliminate the germs, avoid future infections, and preserve the natural tooth structure. During a root canal operation, the diseased tooth pulp is completely removed from the tooth. After cleaning and disinfecting the tooth’s interior, the filling and sealing of the tooth are done by your dentist.
If you maintain proper oral hygiene and take care of your teeth, your root canal treated tooth may last for many years. At Burwood Dental Care, we combine technical expertise, state-of-the-art equipment, and a patient-centred approach in our endodontic procedure to ensure the best possible result for you. In most situations, our patients were able to retain the functionality of their teeth after undergoing endodontic treatment.
What Happens During A Root Canal Therapy Procedure
Root canal treatment typically requires 1-3 visits with your dentist. Your dentist will assess the condition of your teeth before starting the treatment. Dental history is an important factor before starting any dental treatment.
Here are the steps about root canal therapy procedure:
Step 1
The dentist starts by numbing the area. An injection is used to administer numbing agents to the gums and the tooth root. Anesthesia is applied to the area, and the dentist places a dental rubber dam in the mouth. Covering the other teeth in the mouth isolates the tooth that needs a root canal.
Step 2
The dentist drills into the tooth to reach the pulp chamber located inside the tooth. The dentist uses special instruments to clean out the diseased pulp chamber. Then, an antiseptic solution is used to ensure that the canals are free of any bacteria or viruses during the cleaning procedure.
Step 3
The canals are prepared for the filling material using small tools to shape them. Gutta-percha is the substance that will be used to fill the canals. Heat is applied to this rubber-like material when inserted into the canals. The dentist compresses it so that it fits perfectly against the walls. To further seal the canals, the dentist applies adhesive cement. This keeps the bacteria out of the canals and aids in the proper sealing.
Step 4
The dentist might give a prescription for antibiotics. The antibiotics can help in eliminating the remaining bacterial infection. Post-treatment instructions are also given to the patient. After the procedure, you may experience some discomfort for a few days. Over-the-counter pain medication can usually alleviate these symptoms.
Is Root Canal Therapy Painful
There are a variety of myths associated with endodontic treatment that is widely believed today because people who had root canals suffered pain afterwards.
Unfortunately, most of these misconceptions are based on inaccurate knowledge and experiences from the past.
During the entire procedure, your dentist will numb your mouth using local anesthesia so that you won’t feel any pain Then, your dentist will also use a rubber dam to isolate the tooth that needs treatment.
After the root canal procedure, you may have discomfort or tenderness in your mouth. Fortunately, our dentists will prescribe over-the-counter painkillers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) to relieve the pain.
Reasons Why You Would Need Root Canal Treatment
People avoid going to the dentist because they fear the pain associated with dental treatments such as root canal therapy. Ignoring the warning signs of your teeth is quite dangerous. That’s why it is essential to have your dentist check your teeth if you feel any discomfort and pain.
Here are some reasons why you would need root canal therapy:
1. Treat Your Dental Infection
2. Relieve Severe Toothache
3. Prevents Further Complications
4. Save Your Natural Tooth
What Happens If You Don't Get An Infected Root Canal Treated
If you don’t have your infected root canals treated, there is a high possibility that you will suffer from excruciating pain. Root canal infections may cause the bacteria to multiply and lead to various complications.
Here are some of the problems that may arise if you don’t let your dentist treat your infected root canal:
1. Tooth Abscess
2. Bone deterioration
3. Tooth Loss
4. Spread Of Infection In Your Body
Because of the bacterial infection, your tooth may get damaged to the point where a hole forms on the side of the tooth, enabling the infection to spread to the surrounding gums, face, surrounding skin, and bloodstream. It is possible to develop sepsis if the infection spreads to your circulation, a potentially life-threatening illness that may affect many organs.
If you need to treat your infected root canals, don’t hesitate to visit our dental clinic right away. Remember that delaying the treatment won’t solve the issue. Even if the discomfort subsides, it may be a dangerous indicator since it indicates that the infection is persisting rather than diminishing, which is very dangerous. Furthermore, if the infection progresses to a severe level, you may lose a part of your jaw, necessitating the need to have reconstructive surgery.
Cost Of Root Canal Therapy
The cost of your root canal will depend on several factors, including the type and location of the tooth, the difficulty of the root canal procedure, and other additional laboratory and imaging procedures.
In terms of the location of your tooth, the most expensive is the treatment of the molars since they are the most difficult to treat. Typically, the adult front tooth will be the least expensive. Generally, the more complex the procedure, the higher the cost. Additionally, a dental X-ray may be charged separately if it’s required to complete your dental procedure.
Here are the estimated root canal prices:
- Root Canal (1 Canal) With Filling $646 – $990
- Root Canal (2 Canal) With Crown $2565 – $3590
- Root Canal (3 Canal) With Filling $1225 – $1990
- Root Canal (4 Canal) With Crown $3144 – $4590
Final Thoughts
If you neglect your dental problems, there might be more complications that will need more complex and expensive dental intervention. You don’t have to be afraid of getting root canal therapy if you are experiencing a severe toothache. The effects of root canal treatment will surely give you a lot of benefits in your oral health. Our dental clinic has gentle and kind dentists who will provide you with high-quality care.
Our dentists and staff at Burwood Dental Care are committed to using the best dental practices available. Many of our patients were relieved from tooth pain and were able to keep their natural teeth after root canal therapy. As a result of advances in dental technology, root canal therapy is a highly successful treatment for dental problems.
If you are ready to achieve a healthy and natural smile, please call 03 7003 2004 or come to our clinic at 9/2-8 Burwood Highway, Burwood East VIC 3151. If you have any questions about our products or services, please contact us.
Disclaimer – Use At Your Own Risk :- The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as advice for any individual case or situation. Any action you take upon the information on these blogs are strictly at your own risk. We will not be liable for any losses or damages in connection with the use of the information from these blogs.