What is a Root Canal?
A root canal is actually part of your tooth - the hollow section that contains the nerve tissue, blood vessels and other cells - dentists call it the pulp. This pulp is important, because it nourishes your tooth and provides moisture, sensing hot and cold temperatures.
Over time, people have come to use the term ‘root canal’ to talk about the procedure called root canal therapy or endondontic therapy.
Is it painful?
Despite popular belief, root canal therapy is designed to relieve pain, rather than cause it. Your local dentist is a trained professional, and should be able to complete the procedure without causing you extreme discomfort. Your dental surgeon will relieve any pain by numbing the tooth and surrounding area before the procedure begins. The pain of an infected tooth greatly outweighs the temporary tenderness that follows the procedure.
Is it expensive?
Costs vary depending on where you’re being treated, but when you compare it to the alternatives - having an infected tooth removed and replaced with a crown or bridge, it’s really not that costly at all.
What happens during root canal therapy?
There are three stages to root canal therapy:
Your dentist will clean your root canal, removing everything that’s inside it. You’ll probably be put under local anaesthesia before the dentist creates an access hole in the side of your tooth and uses it to remove the diseased pulp tissue using a small file
Your dentist will fill the root canal, decontaminating the hollow area with irrigation solutions before filling the tooth with a material that’s a bit like rubber - an adhesive cement will seal the canals properly. Your tooth will be dead after the root canal therapy, with infection eliminated and nerve tissues removed so it won’t hurt you anymore.
Your dentist will add a crown or a filling, to make sure your tooth doesn’t become damaged, now its source of nourishment has been removed. A tooth without pulp becomes brittle over time, so a crown or a filling will provide protection.
What happens after root canal therapy?
Following the procedure, you should take care not to chew or bite on the tooth, until there is a crown or filling in place. Treatment usually takes a single appointment, so you needn’t worry too much about this unless your dentist is dealing with a curved canal, multi-canal or large infection, in which case the procedure may take one or two more appointments.
How can I prevent having to get root canal therapy?
The best way to keep infections, tooth decay and gum disease at bay is to brush your teeth twice per day using toothpaste containing fluoride. Flossing between your teeth can prevent the buildup of plaque, and avoiding sugary drinks and foods will also help keep your teeth healthy. Finally, attending regular checkups at your local dentist will allow your community dental team to pick up on problems at an early point, allowing them to treat you before it becomes a serious issue.
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