Root Canal
Root Canal Therapy In Rockaway, NJ & East Hanover, NJ
Endodontics is the dental specialty that deals with the nerves of the teeth. Root canals are probably the most notorious procedure in dentistry and the most common procedure relating to endodontics. When a tooth becomes infected it is usually related to the nerves in the root of the tooth. The infected nerves need to be removed. If left untreated, an infection can turn into an abscess which is a much more serious problem that includes bone loss in the jaw.
Root Canal Procedure
The area around the tooth is numbed with a local anesthetic to start the procedure. The dentist will then drill down into the tooth to create an opening into the canal. They will then be able to remove infected tissue and clean the canal. After the infection has been removed, the space is filled with a sealant called gutta percha. It is highly recommended that a tooth that has undergone a root canal is fitted with a crown. This will improve the appearance of the tooth and protect it, making it much more likely that the root canal will be successful.
Top 5 Benefits of Root Canals
"Root canal" has become a scary term for dental patients to hear, but the benefits of the procedure and advances in dental technology have made it much less "scary". Root canal treatment provides a variety of benefits to the patient. Here are five of the top benefits.
1. It Will Relieve Your Pain
The most common symptom that may indicate the need for root canal treatment is a toothache. The pain may affect your ability to enjoy a good night's sleep. Root canal treatment will alleviate your tooth pain and improve your well-being. The procedure will also relieve tooth sensitivity caused by the infection allowing you to enjoy all the foods you love again without any pain from heat, cold, or biting too hard.
2. It Is Virtually Pain-Free
Root canals are nothing to be afraid of. People fear root canal treatments because they assume they are painful. Local anesthesia is very effective in blocking pain during a root canal procedure. Most patients report that the procedure itself is no more painful than having a dental filling placed.
3. It Prevents Tooth Loss
In the past, diseased or injured teeth had to be removed. Today, they can usually be saved through root canal treatment. Without treatment, the tooth may have to be extracted. Saving your natural tooth is the best option.
4. It Restores Tooth Function
Because a tooth that needs root canal treatment often is one that has extensive decay, a permanent crown often needs to be placed on the tooth to strengthen it and restore it to full function. A crown can improve your speech and help you chew better.
5. It Has a High Success Rate
Root canal treatment
has a success rate of over 90%! And if you take good care of it, your
restored tooth could last a lifetime.
Is There An Alternative?
You could have the
whole tooth extracted, but it's always better to try to save it —
especially since root canal treatment is routine and has a very high
success rate. Saving the tooth can prevent other issues from occurring later on such as bite problems from teeth
shifting position, difficulty eating, and loss of jawbone volume and
density.
Post Root Canal Expectations
Your tooth may feel
sensitive for a few days, but any discomfort can usually be relieved
with over-the-counter pain medication or anti-inflammatories like
ibuprofen. You will be instructed to avoid chewing on that tooth
until it receives its permanent filling, which can be placed a few days later. Depending on how damaged the tooth was to begin with, it
may need a full-coverage crown. Those options will be discussed with
you.
How Can I Avoid the Need For Root Canal Treatment In the Future?
Keep your teeth
decay-free by brushing and flossing every day. Eat a healthy diet low
in sugar and avoid acidic beverages such as soda. Have regular
professional dental cleanings and exams. And if you're active in sports,
consider ordering a custom-made mouth guard to protect your teeth
from injury.