If you have put up with tooth sensitivity for days on end, your dentist may prescribe a root canal to eliminate the problem. However, do not be anxious, as the procedure is highly effective and you should go back to enjoying your favorite foods and smiling in no time. A root canal is a treatment used by specialists to repair and save teeth that are severely decayed or infected. The procedure will eliminate bacteria from the canal of an infected tooth and prevent its re-infection.
You should not have to worry if your dentist prescribes a root canal for you. It is a serious procedure that should only be carried out by a qualified dentist or endodontist. An endodontist is a dentist that specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of injuries and diseases of the dental pulp or nerve of the tooth.
You may need a root canal in case a previous filling has complications or you have a chipped tooth. A tooth’s nerve and canal can become inflamed and irritated due to severe decay, large fillings, repeated dental procedures on one tooth, or trauma to the face. Your dentist may also recommend one if your teeth are extremely sensitive to hot and cold sensations, like when you take hot coffee or eat ice cream. Other symptoms that may necessitate a root canal include:
• Severe pain upon biting or chewing food
• Irritation and pimples on the gums
• Tender or swollen gums
• Darkening of the gums
• Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold sensations even after removing the beverage or food causing the discomfort
When your tooth’s nerve tissue and pulp are damaged and exposed, they start to decay, and bacteria multiply quickly in the area. Without adequate treatment, the tissue surrounding the tooth will become infected, forming an abscess. Root canals are procedures that specialists carry out every day to save millions of patients from severe toothache and tooth decay. Over 95% of people who undergo a root canal experience success, with teeth treated using this procedure lasting a lifetime. Other benefits of choosing to save your natural tooth via root canal include:
• Better chewing efficiency
• Natural teeth appearance
• Protects surrounding teeth from excess wear and tear
• Eliminates discomfort from consumption of hot and cold foods and beverages
• Normal bite force
Do not be anxious about pain, as the specialist will administer local anesthesia. You should therefore feel no more pain than you would from the extraction of a wisdom tooth or filling. They will also take an X-ray to determine the shape of the root canal and detect signs of infection in the surrounding bone. The specialist will remove the inflamed or infected pulp then clean and disinfect the inside of the tooth carefully. They may also use some medication to fully clear the infection. The dentist Idaho Falls, Idaho will then fill and seal the affected tooth. A fully developed tooth can survive without the pulp as it will receive nourishment from surrounding tissues.
The procedure should take one or two appointments to complete depending on the severity of the problem and your personal circumstances. A root canal may feel numb or sore after the procedure. You will feel numb for 2-4 hours, but should generally be able to function (go back to school or work). However, you should avoid eating until the numbness is fully gone. Until your permanent filling or crown is installed as the final part of the procedure, you also need to avoid chewing with the affected tooth to keep it clean. You might experience some discomfort for a few days after. Continue to brush, floss, and use mouthwash regularly and see the specialist as instructed.
Root canal procedure and cost depends on various factors, such as the complexity of the problem the procedure aims to correct and the affected tooth. Molars are more expensive. However, most dental insurance plans cover some costs of the procedure. Moreover, tooth extraction is more expensive as you will need to have the tooth replaced with an implant or bridge to keep the adjacent teeth from shifting and restore chewing function. The costs of root canals Idaho Falls Idaho can range between $500 and $1000 for an incisor, and $800 and $1500 for a molar, with endodontists charging up to 50% higher.
