Are Root Canals Painful?

May 15th, 2012 Posted in Root Canals
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A root canal is a dental procedure used to preserve a tooth that has become infected.  The root canal is the area in the center of the tooth where the nerve and pulp are located.  When these become infected, a root canal procedure is performed to remove the infected tissue and seal the area.

For adult teeth, the nerve is not necessary for the health of the tooth.  The tooth itself is unaffected by the removal of the nerve and pulp.  By removing the infected material, the spread of the infection is stopped and the tooth can be saved.  If left untreated, the infection will spread to nearby tissue and cause more serious problems such as an abscess and loss of the tooth.

Root canals have earned a reputation for being painful and uncomfortable.  In the past, this may have been true but due to improvements in anesthetic injection technique and the development of sedation dentistry, a root canal should not be any more uncomfortable than any other dental procedure such as a filling.

Part of the problem was that the presence of the infection makes the tooth and the area around the tooth a little more sensitive.  In addition, the infection reduces the effectiveness of the anesthetic.  Dentists have learned to give the anesthetic a little more time to work and to give the patient additional anesthetic if the numbing is incomplete.

In addition, anxiety about pain increases sensitivity to pain.  Patients who are anxious about the procedure are likely to have heightened sensitivity to pain. Dentists now know to use sedatives when appropriate to help patients relax and to reduce pain sensitivity.  It is normal for the tooth to be sore for a few days after the root canal.  This discomfort can usually be controlled by over the counter pain relievers.

Your root canal should be a comfortable and pain free dental experience.  If you experience pain or discomfort during the procedure, be sure to make your dentist aware of the problem so that he or she can take appropriate action to relieve the pain.

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Root Canal Therapy

April 23rd, 2012 Posted in Root Canals
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Most people wonder why root canals are really necessary. After all, they have a reputation for being lengthy and uncomfortable. However, the truth is that they are just like having any other filling procedure done. Local anesthetic (or sedation if you like) is used to numb the area so that patients have little to no discomfort during their treatment. Depending on what tooth is being treated and how many roots it has, the procedure can be shorter or longer than others.

When it comes to repairing and saving teeth, root canal therapy is the last step in salvaging a tooth before it progresses so far that it needs to be extracted. As decay or bacteria spread through the dense enamel, sometimes it exposes the inner nerve canal of the tooth to the infection. When this happens it is necessary to remove the infected nerve tissue and place a filling material inside of the canal. Just treating the cavity alone is not enough, as it would block a bacterial infection inside of the nerve tissue. When the bacteria have nowhere to exit, it forms an abscess out of the tip of the tooth root.

Root canals are used to treat abscessed, broken, fractured and decayed teeth. A variety of different filling materials may be used to fill the infected canal, and then a crown is placed on top. A crown is necessary because the tooth is no longer living and may become more brittle after the pulp chamber has been accessed for treatment. This allows the tooth to stand up to normal forces during chewing.

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When is a Root Canal Necessary?

November 9th, 2011 Posted in Root Canals
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A root canal is a dental procedure that can save an injured tooth.  Inside your tooth is a soft tissue called the pulp.  This tissue is necessary to feed and nourish a growing tooth, but once the tooth matures the pulp is no longer necessary for the health of the tooth.

If the tooth gets damaged by severe decay, a crack, or break, bacteria can get into the pulp and cause an infection.  This infection can be very painful and can lead to a painful abscess that will cause damage to the jawbone.  The only alternatives are to either remove the tooth or to perform a root canal procedure.

Although there are some excellent artificial teeth such as dental implants, your natural teeth are the best teeth.  Root canals may last a lifetime and are much less expensive and less invasive than removing the tooth and placing a dental implant.  Your dentist may perform the root canal procedure, or you may be referred to a dentist who specializes in root canals called an endodontist.

During a root canal, your dentist or endodontist will removed the infected pulp, clean and disinfect the root canal, then fill it with a rubber substance.  A cap is placed on top of the tooth to protect it.

Symptoms that indicate you might need a root canal include painful tooth sensitivity to hot foods and drinks, pain when biting or chewing, tooth pain that keeps you awake at night, and tooth pain that radiates to another area.

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How Long Do Crowns Last?

November 26th, 2010 Posted in Root Canals
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If you have recently been told that you need to have tooth repair and crown work performed, you may wonder how long the repaired tooth will last when trying to decide what type of repair work to have performed.

Tooth repairs are often required after serious dental decay, or after accidents.  Depending on the type of damage, these tooth repairs may take only one or two visits to the dentist, or may require several more trips.  Patients sometimes wonder if it wouldn’t just be easier, faster, and less expensive to have the tooth pulled.

Tooth repair is designed to save the tooth, and keep your natural smile in place.  Even if this is not a visible tooth, the loss of any teeth makes it more difficult to eat, talk, and places individuals at an increased risk of developing jaw bone infections.  Tooth repair is the best option for overall health.

A properly repaired tooth often requires crown placement.  With proper care (including regular dental visits) the repaired tooth can last a lifetime.  Dental crowns that are professionally made and installed by a dentist can last up to 40 years.  It is very important to continue to see your dentist after tooth repair and crown placement, especially if a root canal has been performed.  Root canals remove the center (the pulp) of the tooth.  When this happens, the tooth is more likely to break. 

If you do not receive routine dental exams, you could develop gum disease.  Gum disease causes the gums to pull away from the tooth itself, making the tooth more vulnerable.  Even if a tooth has been repaired, routine dental exams are a necessity.

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Root Canals

November 26th, 2010 Posted in Root Canals
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If you have been experiencing tooth pain, a dentist may have told you that you need a root canal.  A root canal is a dental procedure where the center of the tooth (the pulp) is removed, cleaned and then repaired.  Often times, a root canal is the first step in tooth repair and crowning.

The idea behind root canal treatment is to save a tooth that in years past would have required removal, or that would have fallen out on its own.  Root canals also remove the damaged area of the tooth, making it less likely that infection will occur, that may damage the jaw bone.

The most common reasons that someone requires a root canal and crown are from  cracked teeth, deep or large cavities, or injuries to the tooth.  Common injuries include falling on the tooth, being hit in the tooth area, or receiving a blow to the head that impacts the tooth.  Tooth repair is frequently needed after automobile accidents when passengers or the driver fly forward into the airbags, and suddenly snap their mouth shut.

After the inside of the tooth is cleaned, your dentist will determine how severe the damage is.  If the tooth has extensive damage, or is very broken down, a post may need to be placed as part of the tooth repair process.  This allows for the tooth to be ‘built up’ before the crown is placed. 

It is important to have all necessary steps of the tooth repair process completed.  Failure to do so may result in further damage, including damage to the bone in the jaw.

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Root Canals

October 25th, 2010 Posted in Root Canals
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You just come from the dentist, and you have been told you need a root canal.  This short article will explain what a root canal really is, and what to expect.

A root canal is the space inside of your tooth that travels from the inside pulp chamber to the tip of the tooth.  The dental procedure known as ‘root canal therapy’ involves removal of the root end that connects to the nerves so that the tooth ache will go away.

To perform a root canal, you will receive a local numbing agent.  A rubber ‘dam’ will be placed in your mouth to keep the area dry.  This may feel uncomfortable, as you are required to open your mouth very wide, but does not hurt.  If you have a hard time keeping your mouth open for long periods, let your dentist know so that you can have ‘breaks’ during the procedure.  After you are completely ‘numb’ a small hole will be drilled in your tooth, and then the root extracted.  Depending on the damage, root canals may take just one visit, or may need several visits.  Typically, each visit will take a couple of hours.  You will feel no pain.  If you do experience pain, immediately let your dentist know so more numbing agent can be given.

If the tooth was damaged from trauma or infection, your dentist may start you on antibiotics prior to the procedure.  You may need to complete antibiotics after the procedure.  When the root canal is completed, the tooth will need to have a crown placed to protect the tooth structure.

If you are experiencing pain or discomfort with any of your teeth, contact your local dentist today for a complete consultation.

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