What is Root Canal Treatment: Purpose, Procedure & Benefits

seoblk4Root Canal

Dental care

Your tooth pulp is a mass of connective tissue containing blood vessels and nerves. It originates in the center of the tooth. If your pulp has been damaged by a bacterial infection, you may need a root canal in Hamilton.

Root Canal Treatment Explained

The objective of a root canal is to clean the infected root canal, prevent re-infection, and save the damaged or infected tooth. Here are the steps of the process.

  • Diagnosis – Your endodontist orders X-rays of the infected tooth to assess the extent of damage 
  • Preparation-A licensed anesthetist administers local anesthesia to numb the affected regions you do not feel any pain during the procedure 
  • Accessing the opening- The endodontist carefully  makes an opening in the crown to gain access to the pulp chamber and root canals
  • Cleaning and shaping- The professional removes the infected or damaged pulp using small instruments and cleans and shapes it 
  • Disinfection- The canals are disinfected using antiseptics and antibacterial solutions 
  • Filling the root canalsYour endodontist fills the canals with a biocompatible material (usually gutta-percha) and seals the opening with a temporary filling to prevent infection until the tooth can be permanently restored
  • Restoration- Once the area heals, the tooth is restored using a permanent filling and a crown is installed to prevent reinfection

Benefits 

Root canal treatment can improve a person’s quality of life and oral health. When performed by a certified and experienced endodontist, it is safe. Some people may experience mild pain in the treated tooth for a few days after root canal treatment. Any pain after a root canal usually goes away once inflammation subsides. 

Here are some significant benefits of root canal treatment. 

  • Pain relief- The most obvious benefit of root canal is that it reduces the pain caused by infected or inflamed tooth pulp
  • Infection control- A root canal involves removing bacteria and dead or dying tissue to prevent infection from spreading to adjacent teeth 
  • Preservation of the affected tooth- Another benefit of root canal is that the affected tooth isn’t removed. Tooth preservation is important to prevent chewing problems and maintain the alignment of surrounding teeth 
  • Improved oral health- Root canal improves periodontal health by treating the root cause of tooth infection and preventing potential complications 
  • Cost-effectiveness– Root canal treatment is more cost-effective than extraction and treatments that involve replacing missing teeth with dental bridges
  • Fewer treatment sessions- Most people will need 1-3 settings 
  • High success rate- Root canal therapy boasts a high success rate (ranging from 85%-95%) 

Rosewood Dentistry is a leading dental clinic in Hamilton, We are equipped to perform a range of dental procedures. To schedule an appointment, call 905-547-8033 or click here.