Root Canals
Root Canals:
This procedure is done to remove the pulp from a tooth, and it is done on an outpatient basis so you can resume normal activities the very next day. You might need more than one visit to the dentist to complete the procedure, depending on the reason why you need a root canal.
What the dentist will do is drill a small hole in your tooth to clean out the pulp. A crown is then placed over the area to protect the tooth from breaking, and you can return home and follow basic are instructions.
The length of the procedure is approximately 2 hours.
A hospital stay is not necessary since this a root canal is done on an outpatient basis.
Recovery time before you can travel home is usually 7 to 10 days.
How do you know whether you need a root canal?
If you have damage to the nerve in the tooth, then it is time for a root canal.
Details of the procedure:
You will go to the dentist’s office where the procedure will be carried out, and local anesthetic will be applied. There are three parts to a tooth: 1) The crown, 2) The pulp, and 3) The rooot.
The soft and living tissue of your tooth is the pulp, and it contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. The crown and root are mainly composed of calcium deposits.
The actual procedure consists removing the pulp so that pain and pressure will decrease and future complications can be avoided. The dentist will drill a hole in your tooth with a special tool, and this hole will allow access to the files and other special instruments that will be needed to extract the pulp from the tooth.
Once the hole or cavity is completely cleaned out, special medication will be used to avoid infection. This is the point where your dentist will decide whether the hole will be closed permanently or schedule your next appointment.
The dentist’s decision will be entirely based on the reason for the root canal. The final step in this process is to place the crown over the tooth in order to make it stronger.
After the Root Canal:
Each patient is different, but the list that follows includes some fo the medications that may be prescribed by your dentist. Your dentist should fully explain alternatives to medication, as well as its benefits and risks.
Antibiotics: These will be prescribed to reduce the risk of infection following your root canal.
Diet: You may need to adjust your diet for the first few days following your root canal, depending on the dentist’s recommendations.
Activities: Do not lift heavy objects or bend directly following the procedure.
Oral Health: Continue observing good oral health habits like brushing, flossing and using mouth wash 3 times per day.
Results:
This procedure has proven to be very successful time and again, without any significant complications.
Risks and Alternatives to Treatment:
There are inherent risks with any dental or medical procedure, including root canal procedures. Although the risks are often minimal, you need to be aware that they are possible.
Every patient will have his/her own unique set of risks, and they should be thoroughly discussed with the dentist before the root canal is performed. The risks that can be associated with root canal procedures can include but may not be limited to:
Allergic reactions to the medications used in anesthesia, breathing difficulties, and tooth loss. There are certain medical conditions that carry a higher risk with root canal procedures, and a patient may require subsequent treatment to the tooth if complications do develop.
If you develop any of the following symptoms, contact your dentist immediately:
- Fever or chills
- Breathing difficulty
- A rash