Dentists recommend root canals to treat teeth that have inflamed and decayed roots. This dental procedure is chosen as an alternative to extractions. It might seem like extractions are not anything to worry about., but missing teeth can negatively impact life. The missing teeth leave behind open space. Without a prosthetic teeth solution, individuals might notice that their remaining teeth shift out of place and become crooked. More than one missing tooth might interfere with individuals chewing their food properly.
Signs a Root Canal Is Needed
A dentist will need to perform an oral examination to determine if a tooth is salvageable. Individuals who might be able to avoid extractions by getting root canals might notice several things. Tooth pain, swollen gums, abscess in the jawbone, tooth sensitivity, and cavities are all signs of potentially infected tooth roots. The sooner an individual gets a dental exam and confirmation of the infection, the better their chances are of saving their natural teeth.
Length of Time to Complete the Procedure
This varies from dentist to dentist. Some dentists perform one-day root canals. Others have a different approach that requires more than one visit. It is also possible for a dentist to determine treatment on a case-by-case basis.
Recovery and Post-Surgery Expectations
The average individual will start to feel better as time passes. These procedures usually do not involve lengthy healing times unless an issue such as reinfection occurs. This is why it is important to follow the dentist's recommendations regarding aftercare. There will likely be diet restrictions for a set period of time. These restrictions are recommended to discourage food particles from getting trapped in the mouth and promoting bacteria growth.
Signs of Infection
Dentists usually prescribe antibiotics to reduce the chances of an infection occurring post-op. However, patients can self-monitor and make note of signs of infection. Pain and pressure that lasts beyond the healing time the dentist advises could be a sign of an infection. Another sign is a return of the original symptoms that prompted the order for the root canal procedure.
Individuals with inflamed tooth roots will need to decide between a root canal or extraction. If the inflammation issue is ignored, frequent toothaches might arise. There is also a risk of the bacteria from the inflammation site getting in the bloodstream, which can create an emergency and potentially fatal situation. Fortunately, root canals are not as painful as some individuals with dental anxiety imagine. For this procedure, dentists use local anesthetics to numb the surgical site. They can also implement general anesthetics if severe dental anxiety exists.
Share3 September 2021
Hi, my name is Kevin Nelson and I want to tell you about my experience. I had a painful tooth so I went to see my dentist. After the examination, he said that I needed to have a root canal to save the tooth. I told the dentist to just pull the tooth instead and then he explained why that wasn't a good idea. He said that pulling the tooth would cause additional problems and then he told me what could happen. I didn't want any more problems, so the dentist did the root canal and I'm glad that he did. I wanted to write a blog to tell others about the benefits of a root canal and what to expect during the procedure. I hope that by getting the word out, other people won't make the same mistake that I almost did by getting a perfectly good tooth pulled.