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FAQ
Root Canal FAQ's
New York City
Why
should one need an root canal procedure?
The
pulp is protected by a layer of hard tissue called dentin
which is itself covered by a layer of enamel. Root canal
treatment is necessary once the pulp becomes inflamed or infected.
The most common cause of pulpal inflammation is due to deep
decay that has penetrated the two outer layers and infected
the pulp. Pulp inflammation may also be caused by repeated
dental procedures on the tooth, or by trauma. A blow to the tooth
may cause pulp damage, which can take years to show
symptoms.
Pulp inflammation or infection can cause pain or result in
an abscess if not treated accordingly. Pulp damage may
appear
as sharp, throbbing, or dull, aching pain. The pain can develop
after drinking hot or cold liquid that lingers for more than
10 seconds. A discolored tooth is a sign of a non-vital tooth
usually resulting from trauma. Swelling and tenderness in
the gum at the base of the tooth is a sign of an abscess.
There are times when the tooth is asymptomatic but the pulp
is dead. In all cases, the tooth requires endodontic intervention.
Learn
about the root canal process.
What are the symptoms that indicate the need for root
canal therapy?
Symptom
1: Moderate to severe lingering toothache when having hot
or cold foods.
Symptom 2: Toothache pain so intense it wakes you up at night.
Symptom 3: Pain when chewing or biting.
Symptom 4: Swelling on your gum which when pressed may release
blood or pus.
Symptom 5: Pain that starts in one tooth and spreads to other
regions of the jaw or head, e.g. an infected lower molar (back
tooth) may cause you to feel pain in the ear!
Sometimes, however, there may be no symptoms.
Is
it true that an endodontic procedure is as painful as people
claim?
Most
patients come in for root canal treatment when they are experiencing
a severe toothache caused by pulp inflammation or infection.
Endodontic procedures are performed to relieve this very pain.
With profound anesthesia and the latest techniques available
today, root canal is very comfortable and is usually rendered
in a single visit depending on the level of infection.
The
tooth is tender for a few days after having root canal treatment.
This minor discomfort can be alleviated with prescription-strength or over-the-counter medications.
Why
do I have pain on the tooth that already has had root canal
treatment?
Most
endodontically treated teeth heal up completely and can last
as long as other natural teeth. However, there are cases where
the tooth does not heal up or pain continues after the initial
treatment. Deep decay, open margin, or a cracked or broken filling
can allow saliva and bacteria to leak down the canal and re-infect
the tooth. Sometimes a second or small canal was missed the
first time around due to its positioning in the tooth. Often
enough, a retreatment of the initial root canal can resolve
the problem. Learn more
about retreatment options.
What
happens if retreatment is unsuccessful or the risk outweighs
the benefit?
When
the tooth still does not heal after being retreated or fracturing
of the tooth may occur during a retreatment, the other alternative
is to perform surgery. The procedure is called apicoectomy,
or root-end resection. In this procedure, the gum tissue under
the infected tooth is opened to expose the bone. The infected
tissue along with the very end or tip of the root is removed
and a small filling is placed to seal the root canal. The
procedure is done under local anesthesia and most patients
return to normal activities the following day. In most cases,
there is no post-operative pain or swelling. Learn
more about retreatment options.
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