When do root canals happen

Root canals happen when a tooth is badly decayed or seriously infected. To protect the tooth, the nerve and its surrounding tooth pulp are removed and the tooth is sealed shut.

The interior of the tooth is left virtually impervious to future decay. It usually takes a very long time before canal therapy is ever recommended. Warning signs of tooth decay, such as cavities, will take place months or even years before it becomes necessary to pursue such intensive treatment. Brushing your teeth every day, at least twice daily, is the most important thing you can do to prevent any future problem.

Many endodontic procedures are performed to relieve the pain of toothaches caused by pulp inflammation or infection. With modern techniques and anesthetics, most patients report that they are comfortable during the procedure. For the first few days after treatment, your tooth may feel sensitive, especially if there was pain or infection before the procedure.

This discomfort can be relieved with over-the-counter or prescription medications. Your tooth may continue to feel slightly different from your other teeth for some time after your endodontic treatment is completed. However, if you have severe pain or pressure or pain that lasts more than a few days , call your endodontist. Endodontic treatment can often be performed in one or two visits and involves the following steps:.

If the tooth lacks sufficient structure to hold the restoration in place, your dentist or endodontist may place a post inside the tooth. Ask your dentist or endodontist for more details about the specific restoration planned for your tooth. The cost varies depending on how complex the problem is and which tooth is affected. Molars are more difficult to treat; the fee is usually more. Most dental insurance policies provide some coverage for endodontic treatment.

Generally, endodontic treatment and restoration of the natural tooth are less expensive than the alternative of having the tooth extracted. An extracted tooth must be replaced with an implant or bridge to restore chewing function and prevent adjacent teeth from shifting.

These procedures tend to cost more than endodontic treatment and appropriate restoration. You should not chew or bite on the treated tooth until you have had it restored by your dentist. The unrestored tooth is susceptible to fracture, so you should see your dentist for a full restoration as soon as possible. Otherwise, you need only practice good oral hygiene, including brushing, flossing, and regular checkups and cleanings.

Most endodontically treated teeth last as long as other natural teeth. In a few cases, a tooth that has undergone endodontic treatment does not heal or the pain continues.

Occasionally, the tooth may become painful or diseased months or even years after successful treatment. Often when this occurs, redoing the endodontic procedure can save the tooth. New trauma, deep decay, or a loose, cracked or broken filling can cause new infection in your tooth. In some cases, the endodontist may discover additional very narrow or curved canals that could not be treated during the initial procedure. Most teeth can be treated. However, advances in endodontics are making it possible to save teeth that even a few years ago would have been lost.

When endodontic treatment is not effective, endodontic surgery may be able to save the tooth. After a root canal, try to eat soft foods that require very little chewing, like applesauce, yogurt, eggs, and fish. Avoid hard or hot foods that might hurt your teeth. A root canal is performed when the endodontist removes the infected pulp and nerve in the root of the tooth, cleans and shapes the inside of the root canal, then fills and seals the space.

Afterward, your dentist will place a crown on the tooth to protect and restore it to its original function. The root canal treatment leaves your natural tooth in place and prevents further decay.

But it makes the tooth more fragile. The only way to know for sure if you need a root canal is by paying a visit to your dentist. But there are several warning signs to be on the lookout for. The sooner your tooth can be treated, the better the outcome will likely be. Persistent tooth pain is one of the signs that you may need a root canal. The pain in your tooth might bother you all the time, or it might go away from time to time but always return.

You may feel the pain deep in the bone of your tooth. Or you may feel referred pain in your face, jaw, or in your other teeth.

Early diagnosis and treatment for tooth pain typically leads to a better outcome. Does your tooth hurt when you eat warm food or when you drink a cup of coffee? Or perhaps your tooth feels sensitive when you eat ice cream or drink an icy-cold glass of water. The sensitivity could feel like a dull ache or a sharp pain. You may need a root canal if this pain lingers for an extended period of time, even when you stop eating or drinking. If your tooth hurts when you eat or drink something hot or cold, it may be an indication that the blood vessels and nerves in your tooth are infected or damaged.

Trauma to the tooth or the breakdown of the internal tissue can damage the roots and give the tooth a grayish-black appearance. Swollen gums near the painful tooth can be a sign of an issue that requires a root canal. The swelling may come and go. Root canal treatment consists of removal of the infected pulp within the tooth and then sealing of the tooth to prevent against future infections.

The treated tooth should last a very long time, provided that a good oral hygiene routine is maintained. In some cases, there may not be any symptoms and the problem may be diagnosed by x-rays during a routine dental check-up or treatment for other dental concerns.

Like other infections, an infected pulp of the tooth will not heal on its own, it will only get worse, so a root canal is the recommended treatment. Sometimes, the pain might disappear and patients may think the infection has healed itself, however, this is just a sign that the nerves inside of the tooth have died.