Why are Root Canals Done?

If you’ve been told that you need a root canal, don’t panic – root canals are not as scary as they seem. Know that this procedure will ultimately alleviate any pain you’re feeling and preserve the problem tooth. Why are root canals done?

Why You Might Need One

By the time you need a root canal, it is too late to save the tooth completely. Your dentist, however, can preserve it by performing a root canal so that you don’t need to have it removed. If left untreated, you might need to have the tooth completely taken out.

The tooth is dying from infection, so a root canal is needed to cut out the infected tissue inside the tooth. This will also keep it from potentially infecting other parts of your body.

You also might need a root canal to relieve any pain you’re feeling as a result of the infection. Remember, you should not feel any pain during the actual procedure; the dentist will numb your mouth. Once the root canal is completed, you might be sore from the procedure, but the major pain you might be experiencing will be gone.

First, the dentist will numb your mouth so you shouldn’t feel any pain. Once the numbness has settled in, the dentist will completely remove the infected part of your tooth. They will shape the inside of the tooth as they do this, allowing space for a filler. Once the tooth is cleaned and shaped, a filler is placed in the tooth. It is then sealed, closing it off to infection and bacteria. You will then need to come back to the dentist to get a crown placed on the tooth so that it can function like a regular tooth. When the whole process is done, your tooth will be back to normal; you can bite, chew and use it normally. You might feel some pain or soreness after the root canal, but expect to be mostly pain free within a few days.

Do You Need a Root Canal?

The next question you may be asking yourself after “why are root canals done?” is “Do I need one myself?”. Your dentist will ultimately decide whether or not you need a root canal based on a multitude of factors.

• Different types of pain: First, you will be asked to consider how your tooth does with hot and cold and how long the pain lasts. Your dentist it trying to determine if you have lingering pain. If the pain goes away and doesn’t linger, it might mean that the pulp inside the tooth can recover. If you drink a glass of cold water and your tooth hurts for over an hour, then the nerve is likely dead. Then the dentist will ask about positional pain. If your tooth suddenly hurts when you lie down or run in place, it likely means there’s an abscess, or a dead tooth. Then you will be asked about spontaneous pain. If the pain comes on suddenly without a clear trigger, then you probably have a dead tooth.
• Fistula: This will appear on the gum and looks like a white, yellow or red little pimple. A fistula is a sign of infection, and it tells your dentist that your body is looking to rid itself of the infectious materials.
• Abscess: Typically seen on an x-ray, an abscess is basically a hole in your jawbone. It shows up as a dark spot on an x-ray because bone will not grow in the surrounding area of an infection.
• Referred Pain: If you are feeling pain not just in your tooth but other places in your body (jaw, ear, surrounding teeth), this could also mean that you have an abscess.

Dr. Alan Zabolian at Samaritan Dental Arts provides general dentistry services like teeth whitening, veneers, dental implants, mercury-free fillings, root canal therapy and more. His goal is to provide his patients premium, quality care.