Root Canal Treatment

When Does A Patient Require A Root Canal Treatment?

A patient may require this form of treatment if the pulp in the center of a tooth becomes infected. The pulp is an area rich in blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue, which makes an infection here is extremely painful.

The pulp may become infected if the tooth cracks or chips or if there’s a deep cavity. Any break in the enamel of the tooth will allow bacteria to infect this sensitive area. Once the infection sets in, it isn’t easy to stamp it out. That’s when a dentist may recommend a root canal procedure.

What Happens During the Procedure?

Dr. Jackson will first ensure that the area around your tooth is completely numb. Particularly nervous patients may request sedation dentistry as an alternative if they prefer. Either way, Dr. Jackson ensures that the patient feels no pain during the procedure.

Next, Dr. Jackson drills a tiny hole into the enamel to gain access to the tooth. This hole allows him to remove the infected pulp safely. He will then rinse out the area to remove any lingering traces of bacteria.

Dr. Jackson will then seal the area with gutta-percha. This rubbery substance replaces the pulp so that the empty cavity doesn’t cave in on itself. Patients may also receive a course of antibiotics to ensure that there’s no chance of further infection.

Once the infection is rooted out, the dentist uses a permanent filling or crown to seal off the area. The crown provides further support and protection for the tooth.

With modern dentistry, crowns look seamless. It’s possible to match the natural color of the teeth so accurately that no one will notice the crown. If a patient cares for their crown correctly, it’ll last anywhere between 15 and 25 years.

After the crown is in place, the patient goes about their business as usual. They treat the crown as they would their natural teeth.

What Are The Alternatives To The Procedure?

Unfortunately, the infection won’t go away on its own. If the patient tries to avoid seeing the dentist, the disease will spread. It can spread to the roots, surrounding teeth, gums, and finally, the jaw.

The only alternative to a root canal treatment is to extract the infected tooth. An extraction costs less than a root canal, so patients might opt to pull the tooth to save money.

This rationale is a false economy, however. Extraction is an imperfect solution because it leaves a gap in the jaw. This gap is more than aesthetically unappealing—the pressure of the tooth against the jawbone when biting down assists in keeping the jaw healthy.

When there’s a missing tooth, the jawbone in that area begins to deteriorate because of the lack of pressure on the bone. This deterioration is the primary reason that dentists recommend implant surgery to replace the tooth.

The loss of teeth makes it harder to chew food and can affect the look of the face, since the teeth provide support for the cheeks. The loss of one tooth won’t have a significant impact on appearance, but multiple extractions over a lifetime could have a cumulative effect.

Unless the patient takes dental care more seriously, they could end up having to extract more teeth. More extractions result in less support for the facial tissues and more difficulty chewing.

Why Are Root Canals Less Expensive Than Extractions?

The extraction procedure will cost less upfront. The healing time is slightly longer than is the case with a root canal, but that’s not much of an issue. It’s the implants that make extractions more expensive in the long-run.

Patients should also factor in that installing implants is a protracted process and involves two surgeries. Dr. Jackson must first install a pin, which acts as an anchor for the implant. The doctor screws the pin into place, and then the area is left to heal.

To ensure that the implant is secure, the patient must wait for the bone to knit around it. This process takes around about nine months. When the implant is stable, the patient undergoes a second surgery.

This time Dr. Jackson must remove the healed tissue to place the implant. The healing process here is faster. The patient will heal completely within a few weeks.

Stop The Pain With A Root Canal Treatment in Springville, UT Today

If you’re in pain, schedule an appointment at Maple Creek Dental in Springville, UT today. Dr. Jackson and his caring team will take great care of you.

What about discomfort?

We work to help patients to feel comfortable during their root canal endodontics procedure by using sedation dentistry. We have a variety of ways that we can eliminate both discomfort and anxiety during a root canal. Whether a patient needs to take something ahead of time to relax or medication to numb the specific area that is being worked on, we can provide painless dentistry and help patients enjoy their dental treatments.

What are the advantages of this procedure?

In the past, many people would need to have their teeth pulled if they became severely infected or the dental pulp became inflamed. Now, those same teeth can be saved by performing a root canal. This is a far better option because it keeps the natural tooth in place. This is important for the shape of the face because as teeth fall out the muscles in the face can start to sag. While this is not particularly common with the loss of one tooth, it is when several become infected and fall out. By treating and saving an infected tooth, we are helping to preserve our patients’ facial structure.

Another benefit is that once the root canal has been completed, and the filling or crown is in place; it is possible to eat like normal and without restrictions. Once the infection is gone, and the tooth is strengthened, it will behave like it used to. That makes it possible to bite down with normal force, chew, and maintain normal activities without worrying about the tooth. This helps patients throughout Springville get back to return to their busy schedules.

A restored tooth will look completely natural if a tooth-colored crown or filling is used to restore it. In fact, crowns can be created in the exact shade of the surrounding teeth so that it blends in perfectly. This way no one will know that you ever had a procedure completed. If, in fact, you had a root canal done previously, you may want to have the filling or crown around it replaced with today’s version for an improved appearance.

Alternatively, if don’t have a root canal endodontics procedure completed, the infected tooth will likely need to be pulled. This is essential for preventing the spread of infection. Once the tooth is removed it will need to be replaced. The options for doing so involve wearing a denture, getting a dental bridge or having dental implants installed. These are all viable solutions but take additional time, and the recovery period is longer since the procedures will take several steps. Therefore, one possible solution is for us to attempt to save your tooth by performing a root canal endodontics procedure. To learn more about this option call Maple Creek Dental at 801-489-6811 and schedule an appointment.