Root canal treatment, also called RCT or root canal therapy, is an endodontic treatment used for treating an infected tooth. Due to decay, cavities, injuries, and bacterial growth, infection can affect the pulp inside the tooth. Tooth infections can cause serious complications, including pain and sensitivity, and without RCT, the only option is to remove the tooth. If you have sudden toothaches or an abscess in the gums, check with your family and cosmetic dentist in Jenison for a diagnosis. Here’s what you must know about root canal therapy.
Understanding the need for RCT
Many patients fear RCT for pain and discomfort, but these concerns are rather invalid, as the procedure is done under local anesthesia. Dentists always try to save a natural tooth, and when there is a possibility that an infected tooth can be fixed through RCT, they will recommend that over extraction.
Know the procedure
During the first appointment, your dentist will take X-rays and additional imaging tests (if required) to confirm the infection of root canals. Next, they will inject local anesthesia into the surrounding gums to numb the tooth. After anesthesia effects set in, they will place a rubber dam to keep the site dry and free of saliva. Using special instruments, the dentist will then drill a hole to reach the center of the tooth. They will use dental files to clear the root canals and remove decay and bacteria. The final step is to clean the tooth entirely and seal it with special materials. RCT can be completed in one session, but if some root canals are hard to reach or the tooth is badly affected, they may schedule two or three appointments. Between these appointments, they will place a temporary filling. Spacing out appointments allows the tooth to heal and minimizes the discomfort of sitting in the dental chair for a long time.
Getting a crown after root canal therapy
Root canal treatment leaves the tooth hollow on the inside, and while there is a filling, the tooth is still weak and may break under bite pressure. For this very reason, RCT is usually followed by a crown. A dental crown is like a cap that encases the tooth. Your dentist may need to file and buff the treated tooth to make space for the crown. They will take your bite impressions and create molds, which will be sent to a lab to get a custom crown. Crowns are made using different materials, which largely determines the price. During the next appointment, your dentist will check the fit and shape of the crown and cement it on the tooth. Getting a crown requires two appointments.
Is RCT better than extracting an infected tooth?
Yes, root canal therapy is always better than removing a tooth affected by infection. Once you remove a tooth, adjacent teeth can shift to cover the gap, which can cause a misaligned bite. This further increases the risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Also, extraction causes a rapid decline in bone mass, leading to other concerns. The best way to avoid further bone density loss is to get dental implants, and implant treatment is way more expensive than RCT.
Final takeaway
Root canal therapy is extremely common and has a high success rate. However, in some situations, infection may affect a treated tooth again, for which dentists usually consider root canal retreatment. The ideal option is to keep your natural teeth safe. If you have specific concerns related to RCT or want answers to certain questions, you can meet your dentist in Jenison to know more. They will also explain how you can care for the treated tooth and protect other teeth from infections, decay, and cavities.