Root canal treatment is used when there is a danger of infection developing in the root of the tooth. There may already be some infection in which it is vital for this to be treated otherwise it could cause major complications for the patient.
The need for root canal therapy occurs usually because of the development of infected abscesses below the line of the tooth. The tooth itself may have to be removed initially, but the abscess itself is the main problem.
Saving the Tooth
In order to save the tooth from infection the dentist will drill into the pulp chamber removing infected pulp along with the root nerve. An inert filling is then inserted into gap. This seals the canal opening preventing any bacteria from infecting the area.
The normal material used in the procedure is a latex product developed from the sap of the percha tree. It is generally known as gutta-percha. This rubber-like material is used because of its non-elastic properties, making it easy to use. It is injected into the root canal along with dental cement and sealant.
Is the procedure painful?
Unfortunately as with most dental treatments, root canal therapy can be painful. However the dentist will apply a local anaesthetic. That said if the abscess is swollen it can affect the anaesthetic. In this case the abscess will have to be drained before any local anaesthetic is applied. It is generally the pressure of the abscess in the first place that will have caused the pain.
If it is found necessary to drain the abscess then the dentist will probably prescribe an antibiotic prior to booking an appointment for root canal treatment. Further, the latter can be a difficult surgical procedure to carry out. This may mean several visits before it is completed. The dentist will in all probability prescribe pain relief as part of the after care.
Alternatives to Root Canal Therapy
Currently, the only real viable alternative to root canal treatment is to have the tooth extracted. However the tooth itself may be healthy so it is a drastic step to treat a problem caused by an abscess.
