Root Canal Treatment: Why It’s Done, How It Works, and Risks Involved

Root canal treatment is a procedure used to save damaged teeth and restore functionality. A dentist performs the root canal procedure in the dental office under local anesthesia. Root canal cost is less if tooth damage and infection are minimal.  

Let's talk about root canal treatment. It is often misunderstood and accompanied by unnecessary fear. The fact is that there is nothing to fear about the root canal procedure, and it can be a tooth saver.  When a tooth has pain, and there is a chance to save the tooth, then a root canal procedure is advised.  

As there is a lot of ambiguity surrounding root canal treatment, let us explain it in detail, explaining why, how, and when the treatment is done or indicated.  

What is a root canal treatment:

Root canal treatment is a procedure for treating the root canals of teeth. A tooth has two parts: a crown that is visible to the naked eye and a root that is embedded inside the bone and is not visible. The crown has three layers: the outer enamel, middle dentin, and inner pulp chamber. The root also has three layers called the outer cementum, middle dentin, and root canals that are continuous with the enamel's pulp.  

Root canals are, in fact, small passages inside the roots that allow blood vessels and nerves to pass through them, supplying the tooth with nerve and blood and maintaining its life. Treatment of these narrow passages or root canals infected with tiny microorganisms is called the root canal procedure.  

Why is a root canal procedure done:

A root canal procedure is indicated when the root canals are infected and cause severe throbbing pain or swelling. It is also done when a tooth has pain that does not go away with medications or when a filling cannot restore the tooth.  

Multiple factors can cause this. Dental caries infect the crown and transfer microbes to the root canals. Trauma caused by blows or sports leads to fractures of the tooth that expose the blood vessels and nerves, leading to secondary infection.  

Infections from the gums travel back to the tooth, infecting the root canals. Excessive forces on the tooth lead to grinding of the crown part of the tooth, leading to severe sensitivity. A root canal procedure is also done to restore a painful tooth with a huge filling.  

Root canal procedure advantages:  

The root canal procedure's main advantages are removing infection and reducing pain. It also helps to restore the damaged tooth structure, restore normal biting ability lost due to pain, improve the tooth's appearance, and protect the adjacent teeth by preventing infection. If there is an infection, a root canal procedure can be done on an already treated tooth with a dental crown without removing the crown.  

How is a root canal procedure done:

A dentist performs the root canal procedure at their office. Depending on the amount of infection present and the pain reduction after the treatment, a dentist can perform the procedure in one or multiple appointments or sittings.  

Before the procedure, the dentist or an endodontist specializing in root canal procedures takes an X-ray to confirm its need. The dentist studies the X-ray to understand the duration of the infection and the extent of damage and determine the number and shape of the root canals.  

Medications such as antibiotics and painkillers may be prescribed before root canal procedures in case of huge swellings and infections to reduce swelling and inflammation and allow the anesthesia to work. Local anesthesia blocks the nerve supply during root canal procedures to relieve pain. Sedation can also be used for root canal procedures.  

Before starting the procedure, the dentist places a rubber dam in the jaw to prevent cross-contamination and slippage of instruments and chemicals in the mouth and to separate the damaged tooth from the adjacent teeth.  

After the anesthesia starts numbing the area, a small opening called an access cavity is made on the crown part of the tooth to reach the root canals. The infected blood vessels and nerves are removed from the root canals using thin instruments called files and reamers. X-rays and a unique device called an apex locator confirm the length of the root canals.  

Hand and motor files and special solutions are also used to clean the tooth. The cleaned tooth is dried using tiny paper points and filled with a rubber-like gutta-percha material. A permanent filling closes the opening created in the crown and completes the root canal treatment. A partial or complete cap called a dental crown or onlay covers the tooth to protect it from further damage.  

Root canal procedure cost:

Multiple factors decide the root canal cost. Root canal cost depends on the tooth type, the number of teeth treated, and the degree of complexity of the offending teeth. Root canal cost also varies from place to place and dentist to dentist. Root canal procedures done under microscopic magnification are more expensive than those done under dental loupes magnification.  

What are the risks involved:

Root canal treatments are associated with some discomfort after the anesthesia wears off. The duration and number of sittings during the procedure depend on the infection and the tooth's condition. If the tooth is not restored with a crown, it can become brittle, discolored, and easily fractured.  

Conclusion:

Root canal procedure is a relatively safer procedure that removes the infection, reduces pain, and saves the tooth from extraction. If the tooth is not numb, a root canal procedure can be uncomfortable due to pain. However, proper anesthesia and cleaning can save the tooth from extraction. Restoring the lost tooth with a crown can increase its life and retain its functionality, increasing the procedure's success.  

Saving natural teeth is reasonably necessary for proper anatomy and good digestion. Getting an infected tooth may feel quicker than getting a root canal treatment, but replacing the extracted tooth can be costly. Root canal treatment increases the longevity of natural teeth and restores function. It should always be preferred when offered as a treatment by the dentist.  

With advanced technologies and the advent of much better restorative materials, the root canal procedure offers an upper hand in preserving what's present naturally.