Root canal is not only one of the most popular dental terms used by dentists and patients alike, but it is also seen as one of the most painful treatments. A root canal doesn’t cause quaking of the knees of most of the patients just because of the pain, but also due to the high cost of the treatment. But do you really know what a root canal actually is?
For those of you who don’t really have an idea about this dental treatment, root canal therapy may be defined as a dental treatment that helps to remove the infection from the inside of a tooth. This also saves and protects the tooth from other future infections as well. You must have loads of questions in your mind about root canals and in this blog, we will try our best to answer some of the important ones to the best of our abilities.
What is a root canal treatment?
In actuality, a root canal is not a treatment, but a part of a tooth at first. It is the hollow section of a tooth, containing the blood vessels, nerve tissue, and various other cells, which is also known as the pulp. This pulp is responsible to nourish the tooth and provide moisture to the surrounding elements.
The name of the dental treatment that is called a root canal is actually endodontic therapy, which is a term for “inside the tooth”. However, nowadays, the term root canal is more commonly associated with the dental treatment itself.
How painful is the treatment?
Most patients fear this treatment because it has a reputation for being one of the most painful treatments out there. However, this treatment is carried out by a dental professional and they try their best to make it relatively painless. Many of you might not know but the pain that is felt during the procedure is due to the infection instead of the treatment. In fact, the treatment works towards alleviating the pain.
The dental professional would make sure to relieve the pain of the procedure by numbing out the tooth and surrounding areas with anesthesia prior to beginning the procedure. Once the treatment gets over, patients tend to feel some kind of tenderness, which is normal. It is only temporary and some pain medications are usually enough to relieve you of it.
Who needs root canal treatment?
If you have an injured or damaged pulp, you require a root canal treatment because it does not have the capability to repair on its own, and the tissue dies if left untreated. Or if there is a deep cavity or a loose filling, there is an increased chance that bacteria would enter the pulp. They would not only destroy the pulp but also cause an infection in the bone. A pulp injury tends to make the affected tooth extremely sensitive to high and low temperatures. If not treated on time, the infection will only spread and cause further damage. So, if you have any issues with the pulp then you need a root canal treatment.
Now that you have got most of your questions answered, you can make a well-informed decision regarding this dental treatment with your dental professional.