Do you have questions about root ? We’ve gathered 5 of the most common questions and answered them. Thanks to advances in medicine and technology root canals are far less scary and intimidating than they used to be.
The more you know the less you fear. This applies to a lot of things and is especially true for root canals. For more background knowledge, here’s a short simplified anatomy of the tooth: enamel, the outermost layer, followed by dentin (another hard protective layer), then the pulp which is a collection of soft tissue, blood vessels, and nerves.
What Do Root Canals Do?
Root canals, as the name suggests, treat the root of your tooth by disinfecting/cleaning an inflamed or infected root. The root extends out of the pulp deeper into the gums. If left untreated for an extended period of time, your tooth will likely need to be extracted and you’ll need a dental implant to fill in that space.
canals save as much of the natural tooth structure as possible. Your adult teeth are the only ones you have for the rest of your life so it’s important to preserve and protect them.
Who Needs a Root Canal?
A pimple in the gums, tender/swollen gums, a severe toothache, or darkening of the gums/tooth are all signs that you might need a root canal. Be sure to call our dentists if you’re experiencing any of these.
A pimple in the gums likely points to a dental abscess which is a collection of pus formed by a bacterial infection causing a wide variety of symptoms including pain when biting in that area, jaw pain, sensitivity to hot/cold foods, and more. It’s vitally important to contact your dentist to get the abscess removed before the infection spreads.
If plaque and bacteria build up long enough, your gums are likely to become swollen. If this continues, it can lead to gum disease which progressively worsens the longer treatment is delayed.
What Happens in the Procedure?
The procedure is pretty straightforward. We go into more detail on our root canal page so we’ll give some bullet points here:
- X-rays are taken.
- The tooth is numbed.
- To keep it dry, the tooth is isolated with a rubber dam.
- A hole is drilled through the top of your tooth.
- The infected dental pulp is removed.
- The inside of the tooth is then flushed.
- The root canals are sealed with a material named gutta-percha.
- A crown is put on the tooth to restore its appearance and functionality.
How Can I Prevent Needing a Root Canal?
Having good oral care habits are one of the best defenses against any kind of dental malady. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day, once in the morning and once at night, is a great place to start. Brushing after every meal is ideal, but we understand that life sometimes gets in the way.
Other great dental habits include flossing and using a fluoride mouthwash once a day. Also, remember to switch out your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months to prevent bacteria from building up, plus damaged/worn bristles don’t clean as well as new ones.
If you grind your teeth at night, wear a nightguard. This will save your teeth a lot of wear and tear preserving your enamel and the general strength of your teeth. Also, ask one of our dentists about dental sealants, a non-invasive protective coating they paint on your teeth to help shield them from bacteria and plaque.
Schedule an Appointment
If you’re experiencing any symptoms we listed above, our Novi, MI dentists can help. To make an appointment, call R. Peter Maly DDS at (248) 347-3700.