604 Dental - Root Canal Treatment

Amalgam Fillings / Silver Mercury Fillings

White Fillings / Composite Fillings

What is a Root Canal Treatment?

It is important to understand the anatomy of the tooth to understand what a root canal treatment is. The tooth has three layers: the enamel is the hard outer shell of the tooth, the dentin is the soft middle layer of the tooth and pulp is the inner nerve and blood vessel of the tooth. An unbearable toothache starts when a crack, fracture or cavity is into the pulp of the tooth. Sometimes a tooth that is severe traumatized may also cause an unbearable toothache. A root canal treatment is a procedure where the nerve of the tooth is removed, and the tunnel is then disinfected and filled with a sterilized material. A root canal treatment will take the tooth out of pain and infection, allowing the tooth to be saved and kept.

Why is a Root Canal Treatment Needed?

There are four main reason why a tooth may require a root canal treatment:

1. The tooth has a crack, fracture or cavity that is into the nerve of the tooth causing unbearable pain.

2. The tooth severely traumatized and begins to turn black.

3. The tooth has an infection that involved the nerve of the tooth.

4. The tooth has extreme sensitivity to cold with unbearable pain.

What are Signs and Symptoms that a Root Canal Treatment is Needed?

A root canal treatment may be needed when:

1. The tooth has unbearable sensitivity to cold, hot, sugary foods with lingering pain.

2. The tooth has pain on biting, chewing or eating.

3. The tissues around the tooth is swollen and painful to touch.

4. The tooth is turning black.

Consult the dentist right away if there are symptoms that a root canal treatment is needed.

Does a Root Canal Treatment Hurt?

A root canal treatment does not hurt when the tooth is thoroughly frozen. A root canal treatment should not be performed if the tooth cannot be properly frozen.

When the tooth has a severe infection, it cannot be properly frozen. The patient should take antibiotics and wait until the infection clears up before the root canal treatment is performed. Once the infection clears up, the tooth can be properly frozen, and the root canal treatment can be performed pain free.

After a root canal treatment is performed, there may still be residual tenderness to the tissues surrounding the tooth. In some circumstances, the dentist may advise to take antibiotics and painkillers.