Root Canals: Why Root Canals Are Done And Potential Problems Afterwards

13 January 2017
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

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When you are suffering from tooth pain, you may need a root canal treatment. If your tooth hurts, has been sensitive to hot and/or cold for a lengthy period of time, this indicates that your tooth may need treatment. In addition, if your tooth is tender to touch and hurts when you chew, this can mean your tooth is severely infected and needs treatment right away. If you have a very painful tooth that is sensitive to temperatures, it's important to get it checked out right away by a dentist to check for infection.

How Your Tooth is Saved Through a Root Canal

With your mouth numbed, the dentist will remove all of the infected pulp from inside your tooth. This will carefully be cleaned out and filled again with material to seal up the space. The dentist will then put a temporary crown on your tooth, which needs to be replaced with a permanent one within a few weeks. The permanent crown for your tooth will be designed to match your old tooth. Once the crown is in place, your tooth will once again perform like any other tooth in your mouth.

When You Are Fearful of Root Canal Pain

When you are already in significant tooth pain from inflamed pulp within your mouth, the relief from a root canal can be impressive. The procedure will be done using advanced techniques and proper anesthetics, and you should be perfectly fine throughout the process. Once the treatment is done, your tooth may be a little sensitive for a few days. 

Taking Care of Your Temporary Crown

Right after your root canal is done, you may need to take special care when biting on your temporary crown. Without the permanent crown placed on your tooth, your temporary crown and the root are more susceptible to cracking or breaking. Continue to take care of your teeth, brushing regularly and flossing twice a day. Maintain a regular schedule with your dentist for cleanings.

There are times when root canal treatment isn't effective over the long term for your tooth. Sometimes the tooth isn't able to heal, and sometimes the pain in the tooth remains. The tooth may need to eventually be pulled and replaced with a dental implant instead. If you experience pain after your root canal for a number of days and the pain starts to get worse, it's time to go back to your dentist to get the tooth checked.