Root canal treatment is often the first line of defense for treating teeth with compromised pulp chambers. The pulp chamber is the innermost layer of a tooth, and it stores nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues. The chamber is sealed off from the rest of the tooth to protect it against bacteria and other irritants in the mouth.
However, tooth decay or trauma to a tooth can expose this area. This drastically increases the risk of the tooth becoming infected because bacteria in the mouth can now access the soft tissues in the pulp chamber. Root canal treatment involves removing these soft tissues and resealing the tooth. A fully developed tooth no longer needs these soft tissues because it can get everything that it needs from the surrounding blood vessels.
There is no need to be apprehensive about a root canal appointment. Many people believe that it is one of the most painful dental procedures, but that is not the reality. Local anesthetics are administered at the start of the root canal procedure, so patients do not feel pain while the dentist works on their tooth. The injection is usually the most pain that patients will feel during the procedure. Topical anesthetics can be used to minimize pain if the patient has a fear of injections.
Once the area being worked on has been numbed, the dentist uses a dental drill to make a hole into the pulp chamber so they can access it. Dental files are used to extract the soft tissues in the pulp chamber and to clean the area.
Afterward, medication is inserted into the hole, and the tooth is sealed with a rubbery material called gutta-percha. The tooth can then be rebuilt with composite bonding or by placing a crown on it. Here is how a patient can prepare for their root canal appointment.
Powerful local anesthetics are used during root canal therapy, and patients might not be able to eat for a few hours after the procedure. Injecting parts of the mouth with a local anesthetic numbs tissues like the tongue, increasing the risk of biting them. Aim to eat a balanced meal about two hours before your appointment. This gives your body the nutrients that it needs to start the recovery process after the procedure is completed.
Dentists typically recommend not drinking alcohol for at least 24 hours before your appointment. Alcohol dries out the mouth and increases the risk of complications. It also increases how long it will take to recover from the procedure.
Try to get a full night’s rest before your root canal appointment. This makes it easier for your body to deal with the stress of the procedure, and it can shorten recovery time.
Do you think that you need a root canal? Give us a call or visit our San Clemente clinic to set up an appointment with our dentist.
Request an appointment here: https://dentistinsanclemente.com or call Nina Basti DDS at (949) 201-4719 for an appointment in our San Clemente office.
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