What Can You Expect During Root Canal Treatment?

If you have a tooth which is dead, your dentist may suggest that you have root canal treatment carried out. You can often tell if a tooth is in need of this treatment, by the way it looks and feels. You may be experiencing sensitivity, or pain when you touch the tooth. The tooth may also look different in color, when compared to other teeth in your mouth.

Root canal treatment can be a better option than having a tooth removed, or having a dental implant fitted. During the treatment, the dentist removes any infected pulp from the inside of the root canal of the tooth. This may sound a bit disturbing, especially if you have a fear of the dentist, but root canal treatment is not something to be scared of.

What happens if you need root canal treatment?

The first stage of the treatment involves the dentist drilling into the root canal of your tooth, so that he can remove the infected pulp. After removing the pulp, the dentist cleans inside the root canal area, and then fills it with a substance that is a little like rubber. This is all the work that is done during your first visit for root canal treatment. No further work can be done until the substance has set, and this takes up to two weeks.

The dentist arranges for you to go back for the remainder of the treatment, at an appropriate time. When you return, a crown is fitted to your tooth. This means that the tooth now has full functionality again.

Why should you have root canal treatment

Root canal treatment is not as bad as people think it’s going to be. There is often a reluctance to have the work carried out, but you should not hesitate, if you think root canal treatment is a good option for you. The longer you dwell on the issue, the more likely it is that you will reach a stage where you are no longer a suitable subject for the treatment.

If you reach this stage, there is no going back. You will need to have the affected tooth removed, or have a dental implant fitted. The dental implant procedure is far more complicated than root canal treatment, and it costs a lot more.

Root canal treatment is not as daunting as you may have heard. You only need to have a local anaesthetic, and if you do feel any pain, it’s completely manageable. You do not have to visit the dentist on numerous occasions; two visits should suffice.

The most important thing to remember about root canal treatment is that you end up having a functioning tooth that may otherwise have had to be removed. You also get rid of all the issues you had with the tooth. It’s no longer painful or sensitive, so you can eat and drink without suffering any discomfort.