What Is A Root Canal Procedure?
A root canal maple grove mn is not a means of torture devised by dentists, it is actually a means of addressing an infection to stop the pain and save your tooth or teeth. The dentist uses modern techniques and technology to evolve root canals into relatively comfortable treatments.
When Is Treatment Needed?
Dentists typically recommend root canals when there is an infection within the tooth. The bacteria accesses the pulp, or the area around the root, because of an injury, a crack in the tooth, or an untreated cavity. Without root canal treatment, the infection can continue to spread and affect not only the tooth but the surrounding tissue resulting in the need for the whole tooth to be removed.
How a Root Canal is Performed: Step by Step
A root canal has four main steps performed over two office visits.
- The dentist uses a need to deliver anesthesia to the area where the dentist will be working to numb it. The needle will cause a bit of a pinch at first, but once the tooth is numb, the dentist can start the real work and you should be comfortable. The dentist may even use a small rubber sheet or cotton to isolate the tooth and keep it clean and dry.
- The dentist uses very small tools to drill into the inside of the tooth to have direct access to the infected area. The dentist uses small files to remove diseased tissue the inside of the tooth as well as to shape inside tooth and root. Depending on the infection, the dentist may choose to rinse the clean, filed chamber with water to clean any remaining pulp. In addition to the water, the dentist might use an antimicrobial solution to kill any remaining bacteria.
- After the cleaning and filing, the dentist will wait for the fresh chamber to by dried before filling it with gutta percha or a rubber like substance. After the inside of the tooth is finished, then the dentist will address the outside of the tooth with a temporary filling.
- After a few weeks, the dentist will check the healing progress of the inside of your tooth and then if you are infection free, the dentist will place a permanent crown or filling. The dentist will determine if the crown needs additional interior support for stability or if your root canal therapy is ready for the maintenance stage.
After Care
Proper oral care and habits can help you keep your dentist visits to regular checkups and cleanings. When your dentist treats any infections and restores your mouth to good health, you need to follow up those steps at home to ensure the highest success rate possible. Brushing and flossing twice a day is the first way to keep your mouth as healthy as possible in between your twice yearly visits and cleanings at the dentist office.
Associated Costs
The total cost for each procedure will vary; the price will be determined by the length of the procedure, the materials used, the number of office visits, and the amount of work the dentist does. Dental insurance will help cover the cost of many procedures including the costs for preventative care as well as elective procedures as they often result in improved dental health. If you are questioning your payment options for your treatment plan, you are more than welcome to talk to our staff at any time. We want your budget is stay as healthy as your mouth.
More About Root Canals : How Long Does a Root Canal Take?