Do you feel anxious about root canals? It is critical to grasp their principles if you desire healthy teeth and gums. Let’s break it down! Root canals fix or clean the teeth’s nerves that have been infected or have nerve damage. They are important because they restore structural teeth that will be discarded if not supported and restored. If antibiotics are not helpful, infections may spread to other organs, which may even turn life-threatening for organisms.

By knowing the root canals, you get to make knowledgeable choices about your general dental health. Therefore, here are six key points to consider before undergoing one.

What Is a Root Canal?

A root canal is a dental process that helps a tooth with decay and/or bacteria infection. The dentist removes the pulp, cleans the grooves inside the tooth, and finally fills it. 

A root canal is unavoidable whenever you get either an inflammation or an infection affecting your dental pulp. Otherwise, the infection may spread to other teeth or the bone, leading to more detrimental dental issues. 

Signs You Might Need a Root Canal:

If the pain and sensitivity inside your tooth are hot or cold and continue to be unbearable when you bite or chew, you should have a root canal. Such indications frequently manifest inflammation or infection inside the tooth pulp, which will require root canal treatment as a solution to this pain.

Other signs and symptoms that you could be suffering from a root canal are the appearance of a pimple-like bump on the gums around the affected tooth, a darkening of your tooth, and persistent bad breath.

The Root Canal Procedure

1. First, the dentist applies anaesthetic to the area. It ensures no patient feels discomfort during the procedure. 
2. After that, they make small holes in the tooth to reach the infected pulp.
3. Then, the dentist meticulously takes off the decayed pulp by having access to advanced equipment. 
4. Following the complete removal of the pulp, the tooth is cleaned internally to destabilize and resist infections. This reduces the chance of further complications, leading to healing. 
5. The dentist later cleans the inside of the tooth and fills it with gutta-percha, either temporarily or permanently. 

Aftercare Following a Root Canal:

Pain Management: One may have some pain after a root canal, though, and this is normal. Daily aspirin is the easiest and the cheapest remedy to relieve pain. Follow the dosage advised by your dentist or pharmacist.

Eating Habits: During the first week after the treatment, stick to soft foods that are easy to bite and won’t subject the treated tooth to inappropriate chewing. Avoid foods that would tear or harm delicate temporary restorations during the healing phase, e.g. hard, crunchy and sticky foods.

Oral Hygiene: Brush and floss your teeth, but be a little more gentle around the treated area so as not to irritate it. Salt in warm water helps clean the area and has been shown to enhance healing, so rinsing your mouth 2-3 times a day is a habit.

Potential Complications:

Unlike most people think, root canal procedures are generally safe and efficient; however, they may be complicated. These include:

Infection: The thorough washing of the tooth during the root canal results in a chance of the infection despite the bacteria not cleared totally or if the tooth is re-contaminated. 

Damage to Surrounding Teeth: Due to the ultrasonic vibrations, there is always a risk of unintended sharpness in instruments that may hurt the neighbouring teeth or structures. 

Need for Additional Treatments: In such cases, the fundamental procedure may not be successful, particularly if there are complexities such as curved roots or unidentified canals. 

Cost of Root Canal in Islamabad: 

The expense of a root canal procedure in Islamabad, Pakistan, encompasses several factors, like the magnitude of the case, the experience of the dentist, and the dental clinic’s mien and facilities. A typical root canal procedure in Islamabad costs 18,000 PKR  for a one-rooted tooth and increases if the teeth have multiple roots or complexities. It is necessary to visit a dentist for a precise evaluation of the cost.  

Book a Consultation: 

Enfield Royal Clinic‘s team of skilled dental professionals is committed to quality care and individualized dental plans to maintain your teeth’ health. From routine appointments to therapeutic and complex treatment, we are ready to assist you. Don’t think twice about calling us for a consultation, and give yourself a chance at a happier dental life.