Root Canal Problems

Root canal, also referred to as endodontic therapy, is a dental surgery performed to treat the tooth which is infected or decayed. Root canal is absolutely necessary, when it comes to dental problems such as tooth decay or infection of the teeth, which may furthermore damage the tissue surrounding the tooth or lead to the formation of tooth abscess. Though the term actually means the natural cavity within the center of the tooth, most often root canal is used to refer to the surgery performed for root canal problems.

Root Canal Treatment
In this surgical process, the nerve and the pulp are removed from the root of the tooth, and the inner portion of the tooth is thoroughly cleaned and sealed. This surgery can be performed either by a dentist or an endodontist. Firstly, the dentist takes an x-ray of the tooth, to determine the shape and check infections, if any. The area around the tooth is made numb by administering Anesthesia, so that the patient is relaxed. A rubber dam is placed to keep the area around the tooth dry from saliva. The pulp in the area and the damaged tissue is removed by drilling a hole through the tooth. The tooth is then cleaned using root canal files. Water or sodium hypochlorite is used to flush away the debris formed during this surgery. After the tooth is cleaned thoroughly, it is sealed. The process may require more than one visit to the dentist, in which case the dentist provides a temporary filing to avoid tooth recontaminating. Lastly, the tooth is restored using a crown or a post to protect it from further damage and facilitate proper and quick restoration.

Root Canal Complications
Although root canal treatment has a success rate of 95 percent, new infections may occur in certain circumstances. At times, the root canal cleaning instruments themselves can puncture the side of the root and cause infection. If the filling material is not placed in the correct manner, it increases the chances of the infection return. If there are more than normally anticipated root canals in the tooth and even one of them is left uncleaned while cleaning and sealing, root canal problems may occur again. While performing the surgery, if any of the crack in the tooth is not detected and left unattended, it may trigger the problem again. Inappropriate dental restoration can allow the bacteria to sneak in the cavity and cause infection within the tooth. Over a period of time the sealing material can break down and thus allow bacteria to infect the inner portion of the tooth.

Root Canal Problems Can be Painful
One of the most sought after procedure of dental health, at times root canal, can be very painful. Some individuals who have experienced the treatment process feel that the treatment process is as painful as having a filling placed. Owing to the natural tissue inflammation the individual experiences discomfort in the tooth for a few days after the treatment. Over the counter mendicants, such as ibuprofen, are given to curb this discomfort. The person who has undergone the treatment should avoid using the same tooth, which has undergone treatment, to chew food until the treatment process is completely over. Using the tooth to chew may trigger recontaminating of the tooth interior.

Though remote, there are chances of root canal failure. In such a situation one should seek prompt medical attention. An alternative treatment to get rid of root canal problems, is to extract the tooth and replace it with dental implants, a bridge or a removable partial denture, in order to facilitate chewing and preventing teeth shifting. But these alternatives are quite expensive and hence it is wiser to stick to the basics of dental care and give proper attention to your natural teeth, which are strong enough to perform various body functions.