If you’ve been skipping out on your at-home oral care and you’re experiencing severe decay, there’s a good chance that you’ll need a root canal to avoid any risk of your oral as well as overall health. Infections in the mouth are never something to scoff at and root canals in Lincoln can get you back to normal.
Before your next visit, take a moment to learn the anatomy of your root canal, the process of root canal therapy, and what causes pain in your root canal to begin with. The sooner you receive treatment, the better off you’ll be in the long-term.
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What is the Root Canal?
The root canal is a cavity underneath your tooth that houses pulp in the root of your tooth. Inside the root canal, you’ll also find nerve fibers and blood vessels. These allow you to feel the sensation you typically feel when you eat hot or cold foods and beverages.
The root canal exists between the pulp and the tooth roots, which allows blood to flow to the tooth. It’s typical for dentists to opt for root canal treatment over tooth extractions because once a tooth is extracted, it also loses the tooth roots. Losing these roots can cause problems later, so assuming the area is salvageable, your dentist will prefer to perform root canal therapy in lieu of extraction.
What Causes Pain in the Root Canal?
Pain in the root canal typically occurs from inflammation caused by an infection in the bone itself. This happens when a cavity exposes the inside of teeth to bacteria, which enter the root and cause the infection. If you experience swelling and/or aching in your tooth, you’ll most likely need root canal therapy.
Alternatively, people who experienced trauma through an accident can also cause the tooth to become exposed to bacteria and become infected. Therefore, a broken or fractured tooth is considered a dental emergency that needs to be promptly addressed.
What are the Steps of Root Canal Therapy?
Once the nerve in your root canal is compromised, it needs to be removed. Root canal therapy (or often simply called a root canal) consists of four main steps:
- First, your Lincoln dentist will administer local anesthesia to numb the tooth. Once it’s numb, they’ll place either a dental dam or sheet of rubber to insulate the tooth.
- Then, the dentist uses a small drill to access the inside of your tooth. This will let them clear diseased pulp from the inside and shape the inner chamber of the tooth.
- Next, they’ll irrigate the area to clear away any remaining dead pulp. They may also use an antimicrobial solution to kill remaining bacteria and reduce future infections.
- Finally, after drying the chamber, your dentist will fill it with gutta percha. This rubber-like material replaces the space your pulp originally held. They’ll close the opening made earlier with a temporary filling while your crown is being made.
After the area has effectively healed, your dentist will place the permanent crown to protect it from future bacteria. If you still have questions about root canals in Lincoln, schedule an appointment with your Lincoln dentist at Williamsburg Dental today to learn more!
About the Author
Dr. Danielle Wasielewski earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry. She has experience in performing many different procedures in dentistry, including crown placement, extractions, root canal therapy, and more. To learn more about her and schedule an appointment, contact her at (402) 420-2222 or visit her website.