Endodontics is the dental specialty that deals with the nerves
of the teeth. Root canals are probably the most notorious
procedure in dentistry and the most common procedure relating to
endodontics. When a tooth becomes infected it is usually related
to the nerves in the root of the tooth. The infected nerves need
to be removed. If left untreated an infection can turn into an
abscess, which is a much more serious problem that includes bone
loss in the jaw.
The area around the tooth is numbed with a local anesthetic to
start the procedure. The dentist will then drill down into the
tooth to create an opening into the canal. They will then be
able to remove infected tissue and clean the canal. After the
infection has been removed, the space if filled with a sealant
called gutta percha. It is highly recommended that a tooth that
has undergone a root canal is fitted with a crown. This will
improve the appearance of the tooth, and will also make it much
more likely that the root canal is successful.
"Root canal" has become a scary term for dental patients to
hear, but the benefits of the procedure and advances in dental
technology have made it much less "scary". Local anesthetics and
proper pain medication allow the procedure to be performed with
little to no pain in most cases. There may be some soreness
following the procedure, but that is normal for most dental
procedures. Over the counter painkillers are usually enough to
relieve any pain afterwards, but your dentist may prescribe
medication. The procedure will also relieve you from pain caused
by the infection allowing you to enjoy all the foods you love
without any pain from heat, cold, or biting too hard. If you are
experiencing pain consult your dentist today.