Non Surgical Root Canal Procedure FAQs

Your endodontist can suggest root canal therapy to remove your dental infection. This therapy is a non-surgical method of treating an abscessed tooth. However, many people stay away from this option because of many doubts and hearsays. If you want to know more about root canal therapy as a non-surgical procedure, here are some FAQs and the answers to them.

What is this therapy all about?

A tooth has an outer layer, which is the enamel. The layer under the enamel is the dentin. The pulp is the deepest layer containing the nerves and blood vessels. It gives the tooth sensation for temperature and pain and supplies the tooth with nourishing blood. Dental trauma and cavities often cause pulp infection. The goal of root canal treatment is to clean out the infected pulp.

What are the signs of a pulp infection?

Lengthened sensitivity to cold or hot food and drinks, as well as persistent pain in the jaw or tooth, are signs of infection. Some patients experience facial swelling and tooth discoloration. Others may only show slight pain or discomfort. The endodontist can form a list of signs from a routine examination.

Why remove the pulp?

Dental trauma can cause cracks or chips. The damage can extend from the enamel to the pulp. Bacteria use these openings to reach the pulp and thrive there. The infection then develops and creates an abscessed tooth. The bacteria will multiply and spread to the surrounding bones and gum tissue.

The endodontist will perform a root canal treatment to remove the infected pulp. Doing so will stop the infection, thereby stopping the pain and swelling. In addition, the absence of the infection’s source will prevent the spread of the bacteria, keeping the other parts of the body infection-free.

What should a patient look forward to after the root canal therapy?

The patient should be well enough to continue normal daily activities right after the procedure. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help the patient manage any pain or discomfort, which should dissipate after a few days. However, the patient should report pain weeks after the treatment as this may signify a new or persistent infection deep in the root canal.

What are the complications?

Complications are rare, but the most common one is more infection. An area in a dental root’s canal may have been missed during the cleaning process. There could also be new fissures or cracks in the tooth, creating new openings for bacteria to enter the tooth. Old sealants could degrade and allow new infections to develop, which may require a second root canal therapy or apicoectomy.

What is the common alternative to this therapy?

A dental extraction is a usual alternative to this procedure. Removing the abscessed tooth will remove the source of infection. The dentist will then drain the remaining pus in the socket. Antibiotic therapy can help remove the remaining bacteria in the dental arch. The endodontist will then discuss a type of dental replacement to take the place of the extracted tooth.