Need a Root Canal? Get an Overview of the Procedure
If your dentist has told you that you need a root canal, then you might be feeling a bit apprehensive. However, a root canal is nothing to worry about. In fact, root canals are an incredibly important procedures that actually improve your comfort and quality of life.
So what is a root canal exactly?
When you get a root canal, the dentist is actually extracting the pulp of the tooth in question. Once all of the infected pulp has been removed, then the dentist will replace the missing parts of your tooth with a custom crown. In order to do this, they will take measurements of your tooth and send them to a specialized crown manufacturer. This can take several weeks, so you will likely be given a temporary crown in the meantime. If the temporary crown feels a little uncomfortable for you, then don't worry, because the final crown should fit much better. However, if the final crown is uncomfortable, then you should consult your doctor immediately. If the crown is improperly fitted, then you could actually develop a new infection quite easily.
Why do people need root canals?
The pulp is a thick layer that makes up the majority of your tooth. Normally, it is protected by an outer layer of enamel. If this enamel is compromised, either by infection or some other reason (some people are genetically predisposed to having weak or nonexistent enamel), then bacteria can easily infect the dental pulp. Aside from the health concerns of having an infection inside your tooth, this is also an incredibly painful experience.
Inside the pulp, you actually have some nerves. The more exposed these nerves are, the more pain you will be in. Hot and cold sensations on your teeth may become unbearable, and you might even find yourself in constant pain due to the infection. With a root canal, you can alleviate this discomfort.
If you do not get a root canal, then that infection might spread throughout the rest of your mouth. In turn, this can lead to the infection of your gums, or even other teeth. Getting a root canal today might save you from losing teeth or your gums later. If the infection does spread throughout the entire tooth, then a root canal will no longer be possible. Instead, you will likely just need to get the entire tooth removed and then later replaced.