Americans associate pain with root canals; Sonora residents are no exception. Despite what patients hear or read, the objective of root canals isn’t to cause immense pain; instead, it’s to relieve tooth pain and save smiles.
Advancement in dental equipment and anesthesiology has made the procedure virtually painless and more straightforward than ever before. According to The American Association of Endodontists (AAE), endodontists perform an estimated 22 million root canal treatments every year.
Read on to understand why root canal treatment is essential.
Steps Followed During Root Canal Therapy
Root canal therapy is the removal of bacteria and infected pulp from the inside of the tooth, filling the space, and then sealing the cavity to stop further infections. The process is like many other routine dental procedures; here are the four simple steps.
X-ray: The first stop is in radiography. X-rays of the tooth are taken to assess the damage. The result shows the size of the decay. Alternatively, a dentist can use previous x-rays if available.
Anesthesia: This step makes all the difference. The endodontist administers local anesthesia to the area surrounding the infected tooth, numbing the nerves and thus preventing pain during the process. Nothing exceptional here, the process is similar to preparations for getting a tooth filling.
Pulpectomy: The dentist then makes a small opening on the crown, providing access to the pulp below. The process is done using small specialized tools like drills and nickel-titanium files.
The dentist removes the infected pulp. He cleans the cavity with a microbial solution and shapes it to ensure proper filling later.
Filling: The endodontist fills the cavity using a rubbery substance called gutta-percha. Depending on the structure of the tooth, the dentist might place support posts, holding the tooth in place until restoration is complete.
The filling is then sealed off to prevent future infections. The placement of a permanent crown is the final step. Follow-ups and proper hygiene are paramount after undergoing the procedure.
Why Consider Treatment of Root Canals, Sonora?
As far as dental procedures go, root canals are one of the safest, most beneficial treatments. Sonora residents have the Artisan Dental Lab team at their service. With proper aftercare, these are some of the benefits of root canals.
- Pain Relief
Tooth decay is the enemy, and root canals are the solution. It helps relieve pain and reduce swelling. On completion of the root canal procedure, the treated tooth can become as good as new.
- Restored Smile
An infected tooth gradually begins to discolor. The discoloration starts off light but then gets very dark or even becomes black. No teeth whitening can rectify this since it originates from the pulp.
Root canals remove the darkened pulp leaving your teeth in the natural color. The crown placed over the tooth covers any remaining stain.
- Saves the Tooth
A severely decayed tooth can cause sleepless nights. Since human beings only get two sets of teeth in a lifetime, a root canal procedure lets the patient keep the tooth instead of extraction.
- Stops the Infection
Tooth decay, when left unchecked, can lead to other complications. The infections starting in the tooth can spread to the gums and later to the jawbone. From there, it can quickly spread to your other teeth.
In extreme cases, the infection may even spread to your sinuses. Root canals stop the infection before it gets out of hand.
- Cost-Effective
Colgate estimates the cost of a root canal to be between $762 and $1,111 depending on the affected tooth. Fortunately, most dental insurance policies cover at least a portion of root canals. Sonora patients can expect a typical dental insurance policy to reimburse some of the cost for both the procedure and the crown.
Coverage benefits vary, however, and our office will gladly discuss the likely out-of-pocket costs specific to each patient prior to conducting any dental work. Root canals generally require fewer restorative dental procedures, further reducing the bill.
After Care is Important
Patients should observe the highest standards of care after root canals.
After treatment, the restored tooth usually feels odd, sometimes a bit more sensitive than the rest. It’s quite normal and should not cause panic. There’s an adjustment period before the tooth can begin to function normally again.
Points to Ponder
- Don’t be afraid; root canals are a common procedure. They help to remove infected teeth and reduce the risk of spreading severe illness.
- Unless instructed otherwise by your dentist, patients can floss and brush their teeth after root canal therapy.
- Root canals do not hinder driving or operating machinery. Patients are awake during the process and can resume their normal activities afterward.
Be Comfortable and Confident When Getting Root Canals, Sonora!
Only an endodontist is qualified to recommend root canal treatment. However, symptoms such as gum swelling, pain when chewing, darkening teeth, and tooth sensitivity are common red flags. Be on the lookout for any of the signs.
Remember, these symptoms don’t always require root canals. Sonora patients can rest easy; Dr. Jeff Berger has a great deal of experience and will guide you through the process. Call Artisan Dent Dental today to schedule an appointment.