Scheduled To Have A Root Canal And Frightened? Information That Should Help You
If your dentist has scheduled you to have a root canal this can be a scary thing, especially if you have never had this type of procedure done before. Learning what a root canal is and how it works can help you feel better because you will have an understanding of what the dentist is going to do. Below is information about this so you can feel much better.
Root Canal
First, many people think a root canal is very painful, but it is not as the dentist will numb you very well before the procedure is started. If you are very fearful, some dentists will use a type of gas to help calm you down. The root canal removes damaged nerves from the pulp of your tooth.
Your tooth is made of the crown which is what you see when you look at your teeth, as well as the roots, which is below your gumline. A root canal is a hollow area of your tooth that holds the nerves, blood vessels, and other tissues, as well as the pulp. The pulp is an important part of your teeth as this is what provides nourishment to your teeth. The nerves that are inside the pulp is where you will feel pain from hot and cold drinks and foods.
Root Canal Steps
After you are placed under anesthesia, the dentist cuts a small hole on the top of your tooth to give them access to the nerves that they need to remove. They will remove all dead and infected pump tissue using small instruments. The doctor will also flush out the area once they remove everything to ensure all tissue is gone.
The next step the dentist will do is to fill the root canal. They will first decontaminate and shape the area using small files. They will also irrigate that area as they go. When the shape is correct the dentist will fill the hollow area with a special type of adhesive, which is generally made of concrete. This is an important part of the root canal treatment as this is what seals the canal.
When your treatment is finished, your tooth will be very fragile. Because of this, the doctor will likely place a crown over the tooth to protect it.
Talk with your dentist to learn much more about root canal treatment and they can answer any questions that you may have.