Root Canal TherapyFort Collins, CO
What is a Root Canal?
Dentists use theterm “root canal” in referring to the tiny, narrow passagewaysthat branch from a central, hollow space in your tooth (called thepulp chamber) down to the ends of the tooth roots. The term can alsobe used as a shorthand for “root canal treatment” — that is,the procedure used to save the tooth if the soft tissue deep insideof it (called pulp) becomes acutely inflamed or infected.
How Root Canal Therapy Can Help You
When a tooth isinfected from an untreated cavity, it can lead to more serious issuesthat can affect both your smile and can even affect your body as awhole. Your dentist in Fort Collins, CO, can examine your tooth and helpyou determine if a root canal is the right choice to help your smileand strengthen your tooth again.
A root canal isusually thought of as something that is painful and scary, but it’sactually the complete opposite. Root canal therapy helps relieve yourpain and strengthen your smile when you’re dealing with infectionand irritation.
Root Canal Procedure
Your Fort Collins dentist willfirst numb the affected area to help keep you feeling comfortablethroughout the entire process. They will then create an opening inthe top of your tooth to expose the damaged and irritated pulp insideof your tooth. The infected pulp is cleaned out, helping to relievethe pain in your tooth.
Your dentist willthen fill your tooth with a rubber-like material, helping protectyour tooth from any further infection or damage from happening insidethe tooth. The tooth will be sealed which will stop bacteria fromgetting inside your newly restored tooth. An average root canalprocedure takes up to a couple of hours. In a follow-up appointment,a permanent crown will be placed to protect the tooth.
Top 5 Benefits of Root Canals:
1. It Will RelieveYour Pain
The most commonsymptom that may indicate the need for root canal treatment is atoothache. The pain may affect your ability to enjoy a good night'ssleep. Root canal treatment will alleviate your tooth pain andimprove your well-being. The procedure will also relieve toothsensitivity caused by the infection allowing you to enjoy all thefoods you love again without any pain from heat, cold, or biting toohard.
2. It Is VirtuallyPain-Free
Root canals arenothing to be afraid of. People fear root canal treatments becausethey assume they are painful. Local anesthesia is very effective inblocking pain during a root canal procedure. Most patients reportthat the procedure itself is no more painful than having a dentalfilling placed.
3. It Prevents ToothLoss
In the past,diseased or injured teeth had to be removed. Today, they can usuallybe saved through root canal treatment. Without treatment, the toothmay have to be extracted. Saving your natural tooth is the bestoption.
4. It Restores ToothFunction
Because a tooth thatneeds root canal treatment often is one that has extensive decay, apermanent crown often needs to be placed on the tooth to strengthenit and restore it to full function. A crown can improve your speechand help you chew better.
5. It Has a HighSuccess Rate
Root canal treatmenthas a success rate of over 90%. And if you take good care of it, yourrestored tooth could last a lifetime.
Is there an alternative?
You could have thewhole tooth extracted, but it's always better to try to save it —especially since root canal treatment is routine and has a very highsuccess rate (over 90%). Saving the tooth can prevent other troublesfrom occurring later on; these could include bite problems from teethshifting position, difficulty eating, and loss of jawbone volume anddensity.
What will happen after the root canal procedure is done?
Your tooth may feelsensitive for a few days, but any discomfort can usually be relievedwith over-the-counter pain medication or anti-inflammatories likeibuprofen. You will be instructed to avoid chewing on that toothuntil it receives its permanent filling, which can be placed a fewdays later. Depending on how damaged the tooth was to begin with, itmay need a full-coverage crown. Those options will be discussed withyou.
How can I avoid theneed for root canal treatment in the future?
Keep your teethdecay-free by brushing and flossing every day. Eat a healthy diet lowin sugar and avoid acidic beverages such as soda. Have regularprofessional cleanings and exams. And if you're active in sports,consider ordering a custom-made mouth guard to protect your teethfrom injury.
