You will probably experience some level of anxiety anytime you hear or have the thought of undergoing a root canal. Apart from the cost issues, the pain associated with the root canal may spring to mind.
The truth is that you will be joining the list of the over 15 million people who go through root canal operations every year after their dentist recommends this procedure. But how many of us know what a ‘root canal” is and what it entails?
Well, here is everything you must know about a root canal in St. Paul, MN.
What is a Root Canal?
A root canal is a dental treatment or procedure that aims at repairing or saving a tooth/teeth with severe decay or infections. A typical root canal procedure involves the removal of the pulp and nerve of your tooth.
After the removal, your dentist will clean and seal the inside of your tooth. Remember, ineffective treatment after a root canal procedure may expose the tissues surrounding the tooth to infections that lead to abscesses.
It is essential to follow up with your dentist after a root canal treatment if you have any questions, concerns, or issues surrounding your root canal therapy.
Why get a Root Canal?
You need to get a root canal if the pulp of your tooth is diseased or injured and cannot repair itself. In essence, people experiencing signs like irritation of their teeth’ nerves and pulp resulting from deep decay are most likely to undergo root canal procedures.
Here are other signs that you may need a root canal:
- Tooth infections
- Undergoing repeated dental procedures on a particular tooth
- Chip in the tooth
- Tooth crack
- Presence of loose fillings (that may cause entry of bacteria)
- A toothache causes trauma on your face
- Pimples on your gums
- Decayed or darkened gums
Remember, infections could weaken the bone of your tooth and eventually break it down. Conversely, pulp injuries may increase your tooth’s sensitivity to high or low temperatures and increase pain when chewing. All these factors may push you to undergo a root canal.
In essence, root canal therapy procedures are meant to save your tooth and eliminate the pain. Remember, your dentist may recommend an implant if your tooth cannot be protected with a root canal.
Preparations for Your Root Canal Procedure
Here are the steps that your dentist will take when preparing you for the root canal procedure.
- Taking an X-ray of the tooth where you want the root canal to be performed
- The X-ray will help the dentist identify your tooth’s shape and determine any signs of infections around the bone.
- Administration of a local anesthetic to keep the tooth numb.
- Placement of a dental dam (a small protective sheet) that isolates the affected tooth and keep it saliva-free when the root canal procedure begins
If you want to conduct a root canal treatment in the St. Paul MN area, reach out to us at Chalet Dental today. Our experienced professionals have conducted root canal treatment procedures before and can help you address any concerns regarding root canals.
What Happens During the Procedure?
After preparing your tooth for the root canal procedure, your dentist will follow these steps when operating the root canal:
- The dentist will make an opening on the tooth’s crown
- The dentist will use tiny instruments to clear the pulp and other dirt accumulating in the root canals and pulp chamber.
- The dentist will shape the space of your tooth’s pulp and make it ready for filling.
- After cleaning and shaping, the dentist will fill the root canal with a biocompatible material (usually made of rubber) called the gutta-percha.
- The gutta-percha is attached to the root canal using an adhesive to give a complete sealing.
However, dentists prefer using a temporary filling to keep the opening closed.
There are times when the dentist will schedule the removal of the temporary filling before the tooth normalizes. You will be required to return to the dentist later for the crown of the tooth to be reinstated as you prepare it for full functionality.
Aftercare Instructions
Your mouth will remain numb for some hours after undergoing the root canal. However, some people may continue with their normal operations immediately after undergoing the procedure. Therefore, it is always advisable to wait until the numbness fades away before you start eating.
Here are other aftercare instructions to adhere to after undergoing a root canal procedure:
- Use over-the-counter drugs to ease any pain after the root canal procedure
- Try to avoid chewing with the operated tooth before the root canal procedure is finished
- This will help you keep the affected area clean and prevent the fragile tooth from breaking.
If you have any questions or concerns about the overall health of your teeth, gums, or general oral care, reach out to the dentists at Chalet Dental Care today.
Contact Our Team at Chalet Dental Care For Your Root Canal Treatment
If you are looking for help with your root canal treatment, have questions and concerns, or merely need to book an appointment for your root canal treatments, reach out to our professionals today.
Whether you have questions about hot and cold temperatures, mild discomfort, tooth pain, or even severe pain in your adult teeth, our team is here to help.
We want to ensure that you experience minimal dental problems, avoid extensive decay, and preserve your tooth’s health. Our experienced professionals at Chalet Dental Care will be here to help with this vitally important matter today in St Paul.
Remember that caring, attentive dentists result in lifelong, healthy, and attractive smiles with several 5-Star ratings on Google. And for over 20 years,
Chalet Dental Care serves residents of Como Park, Highland Park, Macalester – Groveland, Summit – University, Roseville, Little Canada, surrounding St. Paul communities, and 55117 areas. Contact us at (651) 413-9150 to set up a dental appointment.