Teeth that are infected or severely decayed require prompt treatment from a qualified dentist. Bacteria in these teeth can spread to other areas of the body and cause additional infections. Abscesses can also form when infections are left untreated. One of the most common ways that dentists deal with rotted or infected teeth is by performing a root canal. This involves removing certain parts of the affected tooth and cleaning out the inside of it. Root canals have a high success rate, which is why they’re commonly performed. They’re also generally feared by those who don’t really understand what happens during this type of procedure. Knowing how root canal Greenwood Indiana procedures work can help alleviate that fear.
People who need a root canal don’t always experience symptoms beforehand. In some cases, dentists discover decayed or infected teeth that require this treatment during office visits. When symptoms do occur, they typically include severe tooth pain when chewing, discoloration of the tooth, increased sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures and swollen gums in the affected area.
The main goal of root canals is to get rid of the nerve and pulp from a decayed or infected tooth. The term “root canal” actually refers to the cavity, or opening, in the middle of a tooth. It contains the tooth’s nerve and a soft part known as pulp. These don’t provide any vital functions, so removing them does not affect a patient’s ability to chew, bite or talk. During a root canal in Greenwood Indiana procedure, the dentist drills a hole in the tooth to reach the inner area. The pulp, nerve and bacteria are scraped away using a series of root canal files. Afterwards, the inside of the tooth is sealed. The hole that was drilled is closed up with a filling.
In some cases, the dentist will wait up to one week before sealing the tooth in order to give infections a chance to clear up with antibiotics. Some patients require additional dental work after the tooth is sealed. This generally happens when there has been a lot of decay. Crowns or other types of dental restoration procedures are done to help protect the tooth from further damage. Patients normally experience some pain or heightened sensitivity in the first few days after a root canal is done. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help ease this discomfort.
