Root canal procedures are a form of “endodontic” treatment. “Endodontic” comes from the Greek words endo that means “inside” and odont which means “teeth.” What is actually inside the tooth that is addressed in a root canal near you?
Starting from the outside, your teeth are made up of a layer of enamel and a layer of dentin. Beneath the dentin layer is a section of softer tissue called the “pulp chamber.” That pulp chamber holds blood vessels, connective tissues and nerves. The pulp chamber stretches down into the roots of the tooth, and to the very tip of the roots where it connects to the tissues in your jaw that surround the roots of your tooth. The machinery inside the pulp chamber is what produces the hard tissues that make up your tooth as your teeth develop. During that development stage, the pulp is essential. Mature teeth, though, can survive without its pulp because it no longer relies on the pulp for its nourishment.
Aside from its anatomical meaning, the words “root canal” also refer to a dental procedure. Root canal treatment is a surgical procedure intended to remove bacteria and infected material from an infected anatomical root canal. Your dentist in La Crete will open up your tooth, remove the inflamed or infected pulp clean and disinfect the interior of the emptied tooth, then re-fill the tooth with gutta-percha before sealing the tooth to prevent it from getting infected again. The goal of root canal procedures is to save teeth from unnecessary extractions that will eventually trigger the need for some form of tooth replacement (at additional expense and inconvenience).
Do I need a root canal?
The American Association of Endodontists has identified seven symptoms that may indicate you require a root canal procedure to address an infection in your tooth:
- If you experience severe pain when you bite or chew
- If you notice pimples or pimple-like sores on your gums
- If your teeth have chips and/or cracks
- If your teeth are sensitive to heat or cold and the sensitivity lingers after the hot or cold stimulant has been taken away
- If your gums are swollen and tender in the area of the painful tooth
- If the colour of the affected tooth has gotten darker compared to its neighbouring teeth
- If the colour of your gums darkens
Will it hurt?
A root canal In La Crête is performed only after the tooth and gums in the affected area are completely numbed with a local anesthetic. Dentists can also offer a range of sedation dentistry options (nitrous oxide, oral sedation and intravenous sedation) if you’re especially anxious about the procedure or will have difficulty remaining still during treatment. With each option, you’ll reach a state of relaxation helping you to remain calm and still, but will not lose consciousness.
You will not experience any pain during the root canal procedure itself. In fact, the procedure will almost instantly terminate any pain symptoms that you were experiencing before undergoing a root canal. Following the root canal, you may experience some pain and discomfort for a few days while recovering from the surgery. In most cases, any distractions arising from that pain or discomfort can be resolved satisfactorily with over-the-counter pain medications as directed. (If you have had negative experiences with pain medication in the past, be sure to let your dentist know that as part of the preoperative planning process.)
Following your root canal procedure, your dentist will provide you with detailed instructions to ensure you recover fully and completely without developing any infection or other complications. You’ll also be given a follow-up appointment to check your progress and to make plans to permanently protect and strengthen your tooth with a dental crown.