A cavity can be treated early with a filling. Dental fillings can prevent further decay and damage. However, if the decay reaches the internal chamber of the tooth, which contains the nerves and blood vessels, a filling is no longer enough. Your Fairhope dentist will have to clean and seal the tooth entirely, and this process is called root canal therapy, or RCT. RCT is a fairly common endodontic treatment. In this guide, we will take you through the procedure, the benefits of RCT and how you can prevent deep decay.
Procedure at a glance
- As the first step, your dentist will take X-rays to check the canals inside the tooth and the overall extent of the damage.
- Next, they will administer local anesthesia to numb the infected tooth and surrounding gums. You will not feel any discomfort during the treatment, contrary to what many patients assume. If you have extreme anxiety, ask your dentist if sedation is an option.
- Once anesthesia effects are on, your dentist will isolate the tooth and create a small access opening to reach the inner chamber. They will remove everything inside the root canal, including blood vessels and decay.
- The next step is to clean the root canals, which also involves decontaminating the area. Your dentist will use special dental files for the procedure.
- Once clean, the tooth is then filled with a material called gutta-percha. They will finally seal the tooth using adhesive cement.
The procedure can be done in one visit, but considering there are many steps involved, dentists often schedule two or more appointments. RCT becomes complicated when root canals are positioned weirdly.
Adding a crown
As the tooth becomes hollow after RCT, it is fragile and can break under pressure. That’s why a restoration called a dental crown is recommended after the treatment. You need two visits to get the crown. Your dentist will make molds of your bite impressions and order the custom crown. During your final visit, they will cement the crown. The crown is designed for the tooth’s shape. Your dentist will check whether you have a good bite after the restoration is fixed.
Risks and complications
RCT is a fairly successful and popular procedure, but infection may surface again in rare cases. For instance, if the dentist is unable to treat all the root canals, the infection may return. There may be some sensitivity and pain after RCT, but these are minor side effects that should go away in a week.
Can you prevent tooth infections?
Decay leading to cavities is the first cause of tooth infections. You need to be particular about preventing decay, for which brushing and flossing twice daily is highly recommended. Your dentist may also recommend using a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Regular dental exams and cleanings are just as pertinent. Sometimes, you may not have any signs of a minor cavity, but your dentist can find it during an oral exam. Treating a cavity early reduces the risk of infection.
Root canal retreatment
Your dentist’s goal is to save your tooth, and if reinfection occurs, they may repeat root canal therapy, and that procedure is called root canal retreatment. Retreatment involves removing the crown and repeating the steps we discussed. Compared to RCT, which has a success rate of over 90%, root canal retreatment has a success rate of 75%.
Takeaway
Don’t assume that extracting an infected tooth is better than RCT. Root canal therapy is always the first choice for dentists and endodontists when treating infections. Check online to find a reliable dental clinic in Fairhope today for your next oral exam!