Dentists insist on regular oral hygiene to prevent bacteria from infesting teeth and causing periodontal disease. Whenever a patient has a bacterial infection in the mouth, they risk destroying the integrity of their teeth because the bacteria can spread deeper into the pulp of the tooth, causing pain. Fortunately, dentists may perform root canals and oral surgery The Woodlands, which involves removing part of the hollow section of a tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels to prevent further spreading of bacteria into surrounding teeth.
What are the parts of a tooth?
Although most people are only familiar with the white part of the tooth, called enamel, more beneath the tooth promotes its function. The enamel is the top part of the tooth called the crown. The roots constitute the second part of teeth. The crown sits on the gum line while the roots exist beneath the gum to provide mechanical support to the crown. However, the crown and the root are the outer parts of the tooth. The inside part, the pulp, has a critical role in providing nourishment to the tooth. The pulp consists of nerves and blood vessels. These nerves are what cause you to experience temperature sensitivity. A root canal is an endodontic therapy to improve the inside of a tooth.
What are the steps involved in a root canal treatment?
A root canal is a procedure that involves three main steps:
-
Cleaning
During this step, a dentist will first make an incision to access the inside of the tooth. The next part is to remove everything inside the affected tooth and remove dead pulp tissue.
-
Filling
This part is crucial to ensure that all the infection is out of the tooth. A dentist will use unique irrigation solutions to disinfect the pulp before filling the hollow space with a rubber-like material and sealing it with dental cement. A patent’s symptoms will resolve after this step because a dentist will have removed all nerves in the pulp and eliminated any infection.
-
Adding a crown
Although a patient does not experience any pain after the second step, a dentist needs to add a crown to the tooth for protection. A tooth without underlying nerves and blood vessels is weaker since it does not receive the necessary nourishment. However, the crown a dentist will place on the tooth is temporary until blood vessels restore in the tooth to promote strength.
A root canal treatment usually takes one session to complete. However, patients with infections with multiple or curved canals may require additional sessions. Your dentist will comprehensively analyze your teeth and develop a treatment plan depending on the severity of your disease.
How painful is a root canal?
One of the biggest fears patients have about visiting a dentist is pain. Fortunately, many dentists incorporate pain relief medications and anesthesia during root canals to help patients have a comfortable experience. A root canal treatment does not cause pain but alleviates any discomfort resulting from infection. Contact Scott Young, DDS, to schedule a root canal treatment and eliminate any condition that might be jeopardizing your oral health.
