Root canal procedures can be concerning despite experienced dentists handling them every day. If you need to engage in any type of dental work it would be beneficial to understand the facts about root canals. You will need help from an experienced dentist if you have been advised to undergo root canal therapy in your tooth. You also need to collect all the information from the dentist beforehand to understand the procedure fully and be prepared for the same.
If you have a cracked tooth from injury or genetics, issues from fillings in your teeth, or a deep cavity you can consider yourselves as a candidate for root canal treatment. You may also watch out for symptoms that need treatment if you notice your teeth are sensitive to hot and cold conditions. Given below are a few symptoms which may indicate you need a root canal:
The above conditions are indicators that you may need root canal treatment from an experienced dentist.
The dentist will be providing you anesthesia to make you numb for at least 2 to 4 hours following the procedure. Thankfully most individuals can return to work or school directly after root canal surgery. You are however suggested not to have any foods until the numbness has disappeared completely.
If your dentist or endodontist has prescribed root canal treatment for you there is no need for you to be concerned because it is just a treatment to rectify a damaged or diseased tooth. Millions of people are undergoing this therapy every year to relieve themselves from the pain and make their teeth healthy.
Inside your tooth is a soft tissue called pulp which is beneath the white enamel and the hard layer known as dentin. Blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue form part of the tissue known as pulp which is essential to help grow the root of your teeth during its development. A tooth which has developed fully can survive without the pulp because it continues to receive nourishment from the tissues surrounding it.
A modern root canal therapy is unlike the treatment provided earlier. These days, it is similar to a routine filling and is usually completed by the endodontist in a couple of appointments after considering the condition of your tooth and your circumstances. The procedure is relatively painless while being extremely effective. It will allow you to begin smiling, chewing, and biting with ease before you even understand you have undergone the procedure.
You are unlikely to experience any pain because you will be administered anesthesia to make the procedure feel like a routine dental procedure like getting a filling or having a wisdom tooth removed. However, you will feel some numbness and soreness after the procedure causing you mild discomfort for some days. As long as you are prepared for the minor discomfort you can rest assured the root canal surgery will bring back the much-wanted smile back to your face.
The costs of the treatment will vary according to the complexity of the problem and the tooth which is affected. You can expect to pay higher fees if your molars need treatment. Some coverage for endodontic treatment is provided by most dental insurance policies and therefore if you have one in your possession you may be able to claim the costs from the insurance company.
Generally, it is more expensive to have alternatives to extracted teeth instead of undergoing endodontic treatment. An extracted tooth needs to be replaced with an implant or bridge for restoring chewing function and for preventing the adjacent teeth from shifting. These procedures can cost more than endodontic treatment in the form of root canal therapy which you will find appropriate. Having received the beneficial information about root canal procedures would you now be confident to undergo the treatment without fear? We are certain you will prepare yourself to flash your smile before your friends after undergoing the root canal surgery you were always fearful about.