What is Root Canal Treatment and How to Cope with this Treatment?

Root canal treatment (RCT) or endodontic therapy is one area of dentistry that generates fear and anxiety when suggested to patients. The idea of the “tooth nerve” being worked on does not appeal to many. For many, the mere suggestion by their dentist that they need a root canal treatment is enough to scare them.

Understanding RCT and its importance to retaining teeth that may require an extraction is the first step to accepting this as an excellent treatment option. If you have been recommended a root canal treatment by your dentist, then it’s time to educate yourself about it and its necessity.

Brief Overview of Root Canal Treatment

The inside of our tooth consists of pulp tissue which comprises of a network of nerves, tissues, and blood vessels. Root canal treatment, also known as endodontic therapy becomes necessary when this pulp gets infected.

The reasons for infection could be trauma to the tooth like a crack or root fracture, tooth decay (cavity), gum disease or severe wear and tear. The infection causes pulp inflammation which results in swelling, pressure and pain inside the tooth. If the infected pulp is left untreated, the infection deteriorates and cause serious damage to the tooth pulp. In root canal treatment dentist works on fixing this infected pulp in order to save the tooth. The treatment involves removal of the diseased pulp tissue from the tooth.

Symptoms that Mean You Need Endodontic Therapy

There are some common telltale signs that should warn you that you might need a root canal treatment:

• * Serious toothache. You may experience pain while eating or drinking hot and cold food or drink. Sometimes the pain may arise even in the absence of hot and cold stimuli.
• * Pain in the tooth during biting or chewing.
• * The pain in the tooth may spread to other regions like head or jaw.
• * A small bump on the gum that looks like a pimple. On pressing, it may release blood or pus.
• * Tender or swollen gums.
• * Discoloration of the tooth.

RCT, if diagnosed and treated correctly has a high success rate with little to no pain involved. This is contrary to what most patients believe. Dr Mandev Singh performs RCT over 2 visits to ensure optimal success with no pain. All RCT teeth require crowns post treatment as RCT teeth may crack or fracture from structural weakness. Tooth discolouration is another side effect of RCT treatment but this is easily solved with the placement of a crown on the tooth.

Suggested Care for Post Root Canal Treatment by Dentist

• * Wait for the numbness in the mouth to completely wear off before eating anything.
• * Make sure that you religiously take all the medications that have been prescribed to you by your dentist.
• * Stick to eating soft foods and avoid any hard foods for few days after the treatment.
• * Do follow your daily dental care regime of brushing and flossing, with care.
• * Try using the untreated side of your teeth for chewing until the treated tooth is restored by the dentist.

Shailer Park Dental, in Logan City is a highly trusted dental care provider in the suburb areas of Carbrook, Daisy Hill, Springwood, Mount Cotton, Redland Bay, Victoria Point and Tanah Merah. The expert dental team at Shailer Park Dental is dedicated to offering patients with high quality of professional care that feels personal.