The innermost part of the tooth has canals that run down to the root-tip. The nerves and blood vessels contained within the canals are called the pulp. Extensive decay or trauma to a tooth can affect the pulp, which can lead to an infection causing pain and/or an infection at the root-tip.
With a root canal procedure, the pulp is removed, and the tooth is cleaned and sealed with a plastic filling material. A root canal treatment allows you to keep the tooth rather than having it pulled out. Keeping your tooth helps prevent your other teeth from shifting out of position, and avoids having to replace it with an artificial tooth.
A Few Facts on Root Canals
- Root canal treatment is also known as endodontic treatment.
- It can relieve your pain and save your tooth.
- It can repair and save a tooth that is badly infected.
- Root canals are a very common treatment and can prevent the tooth from needing to be extracted.
What to Expect After a Root Canal
In the days following a root canal, it can be typical to feel some tenderness in the area as your body heals. Whether or not you feel discomfort, it is a good idea to be a bit cautious with the tooth until it and the area surrounding it has healed. Try to avoid any hard biting on the tooth, including food such as raw vegetables or hard candies. The tooth could be fragile at this time.
The tooth may feel a bit different from your other teeth for some time after a root canal treatment. But keep a close eye on it and don’t hesitate to get it checked out by your dentist if there is a lot of pain or pressure or the pain or pressure is lasting a long time. Also go back to the dentist if your bite feels uneven.
Caring for Your Tooth After a Root Canal
Take care while brushing your tooth, a soft brush and gentle brushing are a good idea to keep things easy on the tooth. Just do the best you can and go easy on the tooth for a little while.
Root canals can last as long as natural teeth do. It’s important to maintain good oral hygiene habits such as flossing, brushing and regular check-ups. This way the tooth and surrounding tissue is kept as healthy as possible and your dentist can keep an eye on the root canal and even occasionally x-ray it to check that it has healed well.
About the Staff and Dentists at Kits Family Dental
Kits Family Dental offers basic dental treatments such as cleanings, fillings and checkups as well as more advanced treatments such as dentures, root canals, teeth whitening and oral sedation. Come in for an appointment and you will see how friendly, professional and experienced all of our staff are. Our office has a relaxed atmosphere and we take the full time needed for each of our patients.
Contact Us for root canals Vancouver BC.
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Read our post on the Treatment Options For a Cracked Tooth or Dental Options to Replace Missing Teeth.
