Are Root Canal Treatments Painful?

The tooth comprises the crown, roots, and different parts that perform one function or another. The crown is above the gum, while the roots are below the gum. The roots connect the tooth to the jawbone. Inside the tooth root is the root canal that is unknown to most people and is a part of the tooth. The root canal is the hollow part of the tooth that houses blood vessels, nerve tissues, and other cells known as the tooth pulp. The tooth pulp is an essential part of the tooth; however, it can get infected and cause severe pain. The only way to treat it is through a root canal treatment near you.

A root canal treatment, otherwise known as endodontic therapy/treatment, is a dental procedure done to remove the soft center of the tooth known as the pulp due to infection, to repair or save a tooth instead of extraction. The tooth pulp nourishes the tooth and provides moisture; however, it can become infected and damaged by dental cavities, tooth decay, injuries, and fracture of the tooth. The acids produced by dental plaques can infect the tooth pulp. In addition, any unfinished or unprofessional previous tooth repair can cause infection to the tooth pulp.
The infections to a tooth pulp cause it to become irritated and inflamed, stopping the pulp from carrying out its functions. At this point, you need to see a dentist in Covington or a dentist near you for a root canal treatment because failure to get one causes abscesses to form and leads to the infection of other teeth tissues.

When Do You Need A Root Canal Treatment?

While Dr. Anitha Reddy commences a root canal treatment immediately after a dental x-ray shows a bacterial infection has damaged the pulp, some symptoms will manifest beforehand that indicate that you need a root canal treatment. These symptoms include:

• Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold food
• Severe pain emanating from the tooth or tooth root.
• Bumps or pockets of pus form on the gums.
• Swelling and darkening of the gums.
• Discoloration of the teeth.

You should speak with a dentist in 30014 immediately you notice any signs and symptoms because the tooth pulp begins to die if infected by bacteria.

How Is A Root Canal Treatment Performed?

There are three steps involved in a root canal treatment, and dentists carry out these steps between one to three sessions. These steps are as follows:

• Cleaning The Root Canal

The first step involves removing everything inside the root canal in the affected tooth. To achieve this, the dentist places the patient under anesthesia, then makes a small incision into the tooth’s surface and removes the infected and dead pulp tissues. After doing this, the dentist uses antibacterial and antiseptic solutions to clean and disinfect the root canal, eliminating bacteria and infections in the process.

• Filling Up The Root Canal

After cleaning the root canal, the dentist then shapes the root canal to accommodate fillings and cleans it again using tiny files and irrigation solutions. After this, the canal is filled with a rubber-like material and sealed off entirely with adhesive cement.

• Adding A Dental Crown Or Filling 

With the tooth pulp gone, the tooth will become fragile and more brittle. While the tooth now receives nourishment from the ligament attached to the bone, it needs protection. This protection is usually from the use of dental crowns or fillings. Do not use the tooth to chew until you get a crown or filling to avoid complications.

Are Root Canals Painful?

A long time ago, people used to avoid root canal treatments and would rather endure the pain than get it treated because of its associated pain. However, with the advancement of dentistry and anesthesia today, root canals are painless. Any pain comes from the infection and not from the treatment procedure.